Block Two Exam Review: Anatomy & Physiology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the pre-exam review transcript, including nerve supply of the lungs, congenital heart defects, coronary circulation, thoracic vertebrae features, and anatomical clinical correlations.

Thoracocentesis

By definition, the removal of fluid using a needle, typically performed for pleural effusion.

Vagus nerve

Cranial nerve 10, originating from the medulla oblongata, which regulates almost all parasympathetic innervation including heart rate, respiration, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, coughing, sneezing, hiccuping, and vomiting.

Efferent

Motor signals or nerves that direct motor functions away from the central nervous system out to the periphery.

Afferent

Sensory signals or nerves that carry information from the periphery toward the central nervous system.

Gestation

A term referring to pregnancy.

Coarctation of the aorta

A pinched point in the aortic arch causing increased blood pressure prior to the pinch (perfusing the head and neck) and decreased blood pressure after the pinch; occurs in approximately 1 out of every 1500 births.

Ventricular septal defect

A congenital defect characterized by a hole in the interventricular septum; occurs in about 1 out of every 500 births.

Transposition of the great vessels

A defect where the aorta attaches to the right ventricle instead of the left, and the pulmonary trunk attaches to the left ventricle instead of the right; occurs in about 1 out of every 1000 births.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A congenital defect involving four structural issues: a narrowed pulmonary trunk with a stenosed valve, right ventricular hypertrophy, a ventricular septal defect, and a bifurcated aorta; occurs in about 1 out of every 2000 births.

Stenosis

The abnormal narrowing or squeezing of a vessel or valve opening, such as seen in a stenosed pulmonary semilunar valve.

Right marginal artery

A branch of the right coronary artery located along the right border or margin of the heart.

Posterior interventricular artery

A coronary artery branch on the posterior aspect of the heart that determines whether a patient is right side dominant, left side dominant, or codominant.

T1 vertebra

The first thoracic vertebra, which features a full facet on its body for the attachment of the head of the first rib.

T10 through T12 vertebrae

Thoracic vertebrae 10 through 12, which each possess a single facet for rib articulation.

Tension pneumothorax

A build-up of air in the pleural cavity through a one-way leak that cannot escape, causing increased intrathoracic pressure, severe patient distress, cyanosis, a hyper-resonant percussive tone, and a mediastinal shift toward the unaffected side.

Radiolucent

An appearance on medical imaging indicating lower concentration or density, characteristic of a deflated or collapsed lung filled with air.

Dens (odontoid process)

An anterior-facing pivot process on the second cervical vertebra (axis) that, if fractured from anterior trauma, can displace posteriorly into the vertebral canal and compress the brain stem.

Serratus anterior

A muscle located underneath one-third of the breast tissue that holds the scapula against the posterior thoracic cage and aids in pulling the arm above the head from a 90-degree angle.

Long thoracic nerve

The nerve that innervates the serratus anterior muscle; damage to this nerve during a radical breast mastectomy causes a winged scapula and an inability to raise the arm above the head.