Reading Comprehension and Cardiovascular System Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the reading analysis and cardiovascular system lecture notes.

Author's Purposes

To inform, explain, persuade, or entertain.

Tone

The author's attitude toward the subject.

Steps Before Interpreting a Graph

Read the title, labels, units, and legend.

Fact

A statement that can be verified.

Opinion

A belief, judgment, or viewpoint that is not objectively verifiable.

Four Chambers of the Heart

Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle.

Right Atrium

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body.

Right Ventricle

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Left Ventricle

Chamber with the thickest muscular wall; pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body.

Path of Blood Through the Heart

Body → right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle → body.

Right Side of the Heart

The side of the heart that carries mostly deoxygenated blood.

Left Side of the Heart

The side of the heart that carries mostly oxygenated blood.

Pulmonary Artery

Vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary Vein

Vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Pulmonary Artery Exception

Carries deoxygenated blood even though it is an artery.

Pulmonary Vein Exception

Carries oxygenated blood even though it is a vein.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where gases, nutrients, and wastes are exchanged between blood and tissues.

Heart Valves

Structures whose main function is to prevent blood from flowing backward.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve

Valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Pulmonary Valve

Valve located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Aortic Valve

Valve located between the left ventricle and aorta.

Aorta

The largest artery; carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Vena Cava

The major vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.

Superior Vena Cava

Returns blood from the upper body.

Inferior Vena Cava

Returns blood from the lower body.

SA Node

The heart's natural pacemaker; starts the electrical signal that causes the heart to contract.

AV Node

Structure that receives and briefly delays the electrical signal before it moves through the ventricles.

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide leaves the blood.

Hemoglobin

Protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells.

Red Blood Cells

Blood cells whose main function is to transport oxygen and some carbon dioxide.

White Blood Cells

Blood cells whose main function is to help fight infection and protect the body from pathogens.

Platelets

Blood components that help blood clot and stop bleeding.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood that carries cells, nutrients, hormones, proteins, and wastes.

Systole

The phase when the heart contracts and pumps blood out.

Diastole

The phase when the heart relaxes and fills with blood.

Circulatory System Main Job

Transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and wastes throughout the body.

Pulmonary Circulation

Moves blood between the heart and lungs.

Systemic Circulation

Moves blood between the heart and the rest of the body.