Cardiovascular System Physiology and Control of Blood Flow

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to cardiovascular system physiology and the control of blood flow, important for understanding heart function and related health conditions.

Cardiovascular system

The system in the body responsible for the circulation of blood, which includes the heart and blood vessels.

Myocardial ischemia

A condition in which there is a partial obstruction of coronary arteries leading to reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Atherosclerosis

A progressive disease characterized by the formation of lesions called atherosclerotic plaques in the arterial walls.

Pacemaker cells

Specialized myocardial cells that control the rhythm of the heart by generating electrical impulses.

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

A type of heart disease that occurs due to atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart.

ST segment depression

An electrocardiographic finding that indicates myocardial ischemia.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into the arteries.

Ejection fraction

The percentage of blood ejected from the heart during each contraction; a measure of cardiac efficiency.

Regurgitation

The backward flow of blood due to a valve not closing properly, leading to insufficient blood flow in the correct direction.

Tachycardia

An abnormally rapid heart rate, typically defined as exceeding 100 beats per minute.

Bradycardia

An abnormally slow heart rate, typically defined as less than 60 beats per minute.

Stroke volume

The amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat.

Systemic circulation

The part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Pulmonary circulation

The part of the cardiovascular system responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and returning oxygenated blood back to the heart.

Heart rate

The number of heartbeats per minute, an important measure of cardiac function.

Fick's principle

A method for determining cardiac output by measuring the uptake of oxygen by the lungs.

Intrinsic conduction system

The heart's built-in system that controls the heartbeat through electrical impulses.

Pacemaker potential

The gradual depolarization of pacemaker cells leading to the generation of action potentials.

Control of heart rate

Regulation of heart rate by the autonomic nervous system, including sympathetic and parasympathetic input.

Coronary sinus

A large vein that collects deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle and empties it into the right atrium.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers of the heart and is continuous with the lining of blood vessels.

Pericardium

The two-layered membranous sac that encloses the heart.

Atrial fibrillation

An abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and disorganized electrical signals in the atria.

Cardiac tamponade

A medical emergency in which fluid accumulates in the pericardial space and restricts heart function.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

The part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate.

Ventricular fibrillation

A life-threatening heart rhythm that results in rapid, inadequate heartbeats due to chaotic electrical activity.

Cardiac glycosides

A class of medications used to improve heart contractility (e.g., digoxin).

Hemodynamics

The study of blood flow or the circulation; it encompasses blood pressure, blood flow rates, and the forces influencing blood circulation.

Edema

Fluid accumulation in tissues, often due to compromised blood flow.

Baroreceptors

Sensors located in blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart, useful in diagnosing various heart conditions.