Circulatory System Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the circulatory and lymphatic systems, highlighting terms and their definitions crucial for understanding human anatomy and physiology.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, typically oxygen-rich except in the case of the pulmonary artery.

Vein

A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart, usually oxygen-poor except for the pulmonary veins.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste occurs.

Filtration

The process of fluid leaving the blood and entering tissues.

Reabsorption

The process of fluid being returned from tissues back into the blood.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues, often related to high blood pressure.

Pulmonary circuit

The part of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs and returns it oxygenated.

Circle of Willis

A circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures.

Dural venous sinuses

Channels that drain venous blood from the brain and direct it into the internal jugular veins.

Lymphatic system

A network involved in fluid recovery, immunity, and lipid absorption.

White blood cells

Cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body from infections.

Lymph nodes

Small glands that filter lymph fluid as it drains through the body, containing lymphocytes.

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissues located in the throat that serve as a defense against pathogens.

Thymus

An organ where T lymphocytes mature, essential for adaptive immunity.

Spleen

An organ that filters blood, removes old blood cells, and plays a role in immune response.

Bone marrow

The tissue where blood cells, including white blood cells, are produced.

Lipid absorption

The process by which lipids are absorbed into the body, primarily through the lymphatic system.

Right lymphatic duct

The vessel that drains lymph from the upper right quadrant of the body into the right subclavian vein.

Thoracic duct

The vessel that drains lymph from the rest of the body into the left subclavian vein.