Chapt 4: Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Cardiovascular Anatomy and Physiology notes for anesthesia providers and advanced learners.

Surgical Stress Response

Autonomic nervous system–driven reaction to surgery with catecholamine release and cardiovascular effects.

Catecholamines

Epinephrine and norepinephrine; increase heart rate, contractility, vascular tone, and blood pressure.

Tachycardia

Rapid heart rate often due to sympathetic activation or other stimuli.

Mediastinum

Central compartment in the thoracic cavity where the heart sits.

Base of the heart

Superior/posterior surface of the heart.

Apex of the heart

Inferior/leftward tip of the heart.

Pericardium

Double-layered sac surrounding the heart consisting of fibrous and serous layers.

Fibrous pericardium

Outer, tough layer that anchors the heart within the mediastinum.

Serous pericardium

Inner double layer (visceral/epicardium and parietal) with a lubricating layer.

Visceral pericardium (epicardium)

Inner serous layer that covers the heart muscle.

Parietal pericardium

Outer serous layer lining the fibrous pericardium.

Pericardial fluid

Lubricating fluid (about 30–50 mL) reducing friction during cardiac cycles.

Tamponade

Fluid accumulation in the pericardial space impeding filling; may cause PEA; requires urgent drainage.

Epicardium

Outer layer of the heart wall; part of the serous pericardium; contains coronary vessels.

Myocardium

Muscular, contractile heart tissue rich in mitochondria; intercalated discs enable synchronized contraction.

Endocardium

Endothelial lining of chambers and great vessels; continuous with valves.

Intercalated discs

Cell junctions that allow synchronized myocardial contraction.

Automaticity

Heart muscle cells’ ability to generate impulses spontaneously.

Conductivity

Heart tissue’s ability to propagate electrical impulses.

Cardiac skeleton

Annulus fibrosus; provides valve support and electrically insulates atria from ventricles.

Annulus fibrosus

Fibrous rings surrounding valves providing structural support.

AV node

Primary delay point between atria and ventricles; critical for timing of ventricular filling.

His-Purkinje network

Rapid conduction system that coordinates ventricular contraction from apex upward.

Right coronary artery (RCA)

Artery from the aortic sinuses supplying the right heart and often part of the conduction system.

LAD (Left anterior descending)

Major left coronary artery branch supplying the anterior heart wall.

LCX (Left circumflex)

Left coronary artery branch supplying the lateral/posterior left ventricle.

Dominance

Pattern of coronary circulation determining which artery supplies the PDA; about 70% right-dominant.

PDA (Posterior Descending Artery)

Artery that typically arises from RCA in right-dominant hearts; supplies inferior wall.

Coronary sinus

Main venous drainage channel into the right atrium.

Thebesian veins

Small coronary veins draining directly into cardiac chambers.

Fossa ovalis

Fetal remnant of the foramen ovale in the right atrium.

Right atrium

Receives systemic venous blood via SVC, IVC, and coronary sinus; contains fossa ovalis.

Right ventricle

Pumps blood to the low-resistance pulmonary circuit; thinner walls than LV.

Left atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins; contains left atrial appendage.

Left ventricle

Pumps to systemic circulation; thick myocardium; septum often functionally LV.

Left atrial appendage

Risk source for thrombi in atrial fibrillation.

Tricuspid valve

Right AV valve; prevents backflow during systole.

Mitral valve

Left AV valve; prevents backflow during systole.

Pulmonic (pulmonary) valve

Semilunar valve between right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Aortic valve

Semilunar valve between left ventricle and aorta.

Atrioventricular valves

Tricuspid and Mitral valves; prevent backflow during systole.

Semilunar valves

Pulmonic and Aortic valves; prevent backflow during diastole.

Valvulopathy

Valvular disease such as regurgitation or stenosis.

SA node

Primary pacemaker of the heart; located in the high right atrium; 60–100 bpm.

Phase 0 (action potential)

Rapid Na+ influx causing depolarization.

Phase 1 (action potential)

Transient K+ efflux; initial repolarization.

Phase 2 (action potential)

Calcium influx creating the plateau phase.

Phase 3 (action potential)

Repolarization via K+ efflux.

Phase 4 (action potential)

Resting membrane potential before depolarization.

Na+/K+ ATPase

ATP-dependent pump restoring ion gradients after action potential.

Refractoriness

Period during which cardiac tissue cannot be re-excited; reduces reentry risk.

Atrial fibrillation

Chaotic atrial activity with no distinct P waves and irregular ventricles; risk of thromboembolism from left atrial appendage.

Atrial flutter

Fast, regular atrial rhythm with variable AV conduction.

MAT (Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia)

Multiple distinct P wave morphologies with irregular rhythm.

Ventricular tachycardia

Fast ventricular rhythm; potential hemodynamic instability.

Ventricular fibrillation

Chaotic ventricular activity with no effective output; requires defibrillation.

First-degree AV block

Prolonged PR interval with all P waves conducted.

Third-degree AV block

Complete AV dissociation; emergency due to loss of coordination.

Ischemic injury / Myocardial infarction

Ischemia as a substrate for abnormal impulses and arrhythmias.

Electrolyte derangements

Abnormal K+, Ca2+, or pH that destabilize membrane potentials and promote arrhythmias.

Valvular disease

Regurgitation or stenosis increasing chamber workload and arrhythmia risk.

Chronotropy

Regulation of heart rate by autonomic input.

Inotropy

Regulation of contractile force by autonomic input.

Dromotropy

Regulation of conduction velocity, especially through the AV node.

Lusitropy

Regulation of myocardial relaxation.

Parasympathetic control

Vagal ACh acting on muscarinic receptors slows heart rate and AV conduction.

Sympathetic stimulation

Norepinephrine release at beta-1 receptors increasing heart rate, contractility, conduction, and relaxation efficiency.

Coronary circulation

Blood supply to the myocardium from the aortic sinuses via RCA, LAD, and LCX.