The Heart

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to the structure and function of the heart.

Heart Functions

1. Pumps blood to body and back to heart, 2. Pumps blood to lungs and back, 3. Efficiently separates oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

Pulmonary Circuit

Right side of the heart that pumps blood to the lungs.

Systemic Circuit

Left side of the heart that pumps blood to the body.

Atria

The top chambers of the heart that receive blood.

Ventricles

The bottom chambers of the heart that pump blood out.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac containing the heart, consisting of fibrous and serous layers.

Epicardium

The visceral layer of the serous pericardium, consisting of connective tissue and fat.

Myocardium

The muscular layer of the heart, composed of cardiac muscle.

Endocardium

The inner layer of the heart, made up of simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in one complete heartbeat, consisting of systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).

Atrioventricular Valves

Valves located between the atria and ventricles; includes the tricuspid and bicuspid valves.

Semilunar Valves

Valves located between the ventricles and the outflow vessels; includes the pulmonary and aortic valves.

Chordae Tendineae

Tendon-like structures that connect the papillary muscles to the atrioventricular valves.

Papillary Muscles

Muscles located in the ventricles that anchor the chordae tendineae and help open and close the AV valves.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The pacemaker of the heart that initiates the heartbeat.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A graphical representation of the electrical activity of the heart.

Coronary Circulation

The flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart.

Coronary Artery Disease

A condition characterized by restricted blood circulation to the heart muscles due to coronary artery blockages.