magnet anatomy and physiology - cardiovascular system

Describe the heart and its location.

The heart is a muscular organ located in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity, between the lungs.

What is the apex of the heart?

The apex of the heart is the pointed end that faces downward and to the left, extending towards the left hip.

How many times does the heart contract per minute?

The heart typically contracts about 60 to 100 times per minute at rest.

What is the function of the cardiovascular system?

The cardiovascular system transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

What are the major structures of the cardiovascular system?

Major structures include the heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood.

What are blood vessels?

Blood vessels are the tubes through which blood flows; they include arteries, veins, and capillaries.

What is the heart made out of?

The heart is made of cardiac muscle tissue, connective tissue, and endothelial tissue.

What are gap junctions?

Gap junctions are specialized connections between cardiac cells that allow for rapid electrical conduction.

What do the cardiac cells have to keep them energized?

Cardiac cells have many mitochondria and rely on aerobic metabolism for energy.

What are contractile cardiac muscle cells?

Contractile cardiac muscle cells are the primary muscle cells that contract to pump blood.

What are pacemaker cells?

Pacemaker cells are specialized cells that generate electrical impulses to initiate heartbeats.

What is the sinoatrial (SA) node?

The SA node, located in the right atrium, is the primary pacemaker of the heart.

What is the atrioventricular (AV) node?

The AV node is located between the atria and ventricles and conducts impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

What does the right side of the heart take?

The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs.

What does the left side of the heart take?

The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body.

What is pulmonary circulation?

Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side.

What is systemic circulation?

Systemic circulation is the movement of blood from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body and back to the right side.

What are atria?

Atria are the upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the veins.

What are ventricles?

Ventricles are the lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart.

What is the right ventricle?

The right ventricle is responsible for pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What is the left ventricle?

The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body.

What is the right atrium?

The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae.

What is the left atrium?

The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

What are atrioventricular (AV) valves?

AV valves are valves located between the atria and ventricles that prevent backflow during contraction.

What are semilunar (SL) valves?

SL valves are valves located at the exits of the ventricles that prevent backflow into the heart.

What is the pulmonary valve?

The pulmonary valve regulates blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery.

What is the aortic valve?

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta.

What is the tricuspid valve?

The tricuspid valve is the AV valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

What is the bicuspid valve?

The bicuspid valve, also known as the mitral valve, is the AV valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

What is a heartbeat?

A heartbeat is the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle.

What does 'lub' refer to?

'Lub' is the sound associated with the closing of the AV valves during ventricular contraction.

What does 'dub' refer to?

'Dub' is the sound associated with the closing of the semilunar valves during ventricular relaxation.

What is systole?

Systole is the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood.

What is diastole?

Diastole is the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.

What is mid to late diastole?

Mid to late diastole is the period when the heart chambers are filling with blood before contraction.

What is contraction (systole)?

Contraction (systole) is when the ventricles contract to pump blood to the lungs and body.

What is ventricular ejection?

Ventricular ejection is the phase when blood is expelled from the ventricles during systole.

What is relaxation (early diastole)?

Relaxation (early diastole) is the phase when ventricles relax and fill with blood from the atria.

What are extrinsic controls?

Extrinsic controls are external factors, such as nerve signals and hormones, that influence heart rate.

What is blood flow?

Blood flow is the movement of blood through the circulatory system, driven by the heart's pumping.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

What is resistance in the cardiovascular system?

Resistance is the opposition to blood flow within the blood vessels due to friction.

What are arterioles?

Arterioles are small blood vessels that branch from arteries and lead to capillaries.

What are venules?

Venules are small blood vessels that collect blood from capillaries and transport it to veins.

What is the mediastinum?

The mediastinum is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity that houses the heart and other structures.

What is the thoracic cavity?

The thoracic cavity is the chamber within the chest that houses the heart and lungs.

What is the pericardium?

The pericardium is a double-walled sac that surrounds and protects the heart.

What is the pericardial cavity?

The pericardial cavity is the space between the layers of the pericardium that contains fluid.

What are the three layers of the heart walls?

The three layers are the epicardium (outer), myocardium (middle), and endocardium (inner).

Why is the myocardium so tough?

The myocardium is tough due to its thick muscle fibers, allowing it to generate strong contractions.

What is the right atria?

The right atria receive deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae.

What is the left atria?

The left atria receive oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins coming from the lungs.

What is the superior vena cava?

The superior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

What is the inferior vena cava?

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

What is the pulmonary trunk?

The pulmonary trunk is a large artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

What is the aorta?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

What is coronary circulation?

Coronary circulation refers to the flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart muscle itself.