Circulatory and Cardiovascular Systems Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing the circulatory and cardiovascular systems.

Circulatory System

Includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood, responsible for transport, protection, and regulation within the body.

Cardiovascular System

Includes only the heart and blood vessels, focusing on blood circulation.

Transport (Circulatory System Function)

Moves oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, and hormones throughout the body.

Protection (Circulatory System Function)

Immune cells and clotting factors defend against pathogens and hemorrhage.

Regulation (Circulatory System Function)

Stabilizes pH, temperature, and fluid distribution within the body.

Plasma

Liquid component of blood, making up approximately 55% of its volume.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells, constituting about 45% of blood volume, responsible for oxygen transport.

Buffy Coat

Composed of white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets, making up less than 1% of blood volume.

Albumin

Major plasma protein responsible for osmotic pressure, transport, and pH buffering.

Globulins

Plasma proteins involved in immunity, transport, and blood clotting.

Fibrinogen

Plasma protein essential for blood clotting.

Blood Viscosity

Thickness of blood; high viscosity increases resistance and cardiac workload.

Blood Osmolarity

Solute concentration in blood; high osmolarity leads to high blood pressure, low osmolarity leads to edema.

Erythropoiesis

Production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow.

Erythropoietin

Hormone from kidneys that regulates erythropoiesis in response to hypoxemia.

Carbonic Anhydrase

Enzyme in RBCs that catalyzes the reversible reaction CO₂ + H₂O ↔ H₂CO₃ → H+ + HCO₃-, aiding CO₂ transport and pH balance.

Primary Polycythemia

Polycythemia caused by bone marrow cancer.

Secondary Polycythemia

Polycythemia related to hypoxia, such as from smoking.

Hemorrhagic Anemia

Anemia caused by blood loss.

Hemolytic Anemia

Anemia caused by RBC destruction.

Sickle Cell Disease

Genetic disorder where valine replaces glutamic acid, causing RBCs to sickle, block vessels, and resist malaria.

Universal Donor (Blood Type)

Type O blood, which can be transfused to individuals with any ABO blood type.

Universal Recipient (Blood Type)

Type AB blood, which can receive transfusions from individuals with any ABO blood type.

Rh Factor

Antigen on RBCs; Rh− mothers exposed to Rh+ fetal blood may form anti-D antibodies, risking hemolytic disease.

Rhogam

Medication given to Rh− mothers to prevent sensitization to Rh antigen and hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Neutrophils

Type of leukocyte that primarily targets bacteria.

Eosinophils

Type of leukocyte that targets parasites and is involved in allergic reactions.

Basophils

Type of leukocyte involved in inflammation.

Lymphocytes

Type of leukocyte involved in immunity.

Monocytes

Type of leukocyte that differentiates into macrophages.

Secondary Polycythemia (Patient Scenario)

A condition likely present in a patient with high hematocrit, high blood pressure, and a history of smoking due to smoking-induced hypoxia leading to increased RBC production.