Untitled Flashcards Set

Heart Location

Between the 2nd and 5th intercostal spaces in the thoracic cavity, within the mediastinum.

Coverings of the Heart

The heart is covered by the pericardium, which consists of the fibrous pericardium, serous pericardium, parietal layer, visceral layer (epicardium), and the pericardial cavity.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Myocardium

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart, primarily composed of cardiac muscle.

Endocardium

The inner layer of the heart wall, lining the chambers and valves.

Systemic Circuit

Blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood to and from all body tissues.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, except for pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, except for pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated blood.

Systole

The phase of ventricular contraction in the cardiac cycle.

Diastole

The phase of ventricular relaxation in the cardiac cycle.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped out by each ventricle in one minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

S1 “Lub”

The first heart sound, produced by turbulent blood flow through the atrioventricular valves.

S2 “Dub”

The second heart sound, produced by turbulent blood flow through the semilunar valves.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells that transport oxygen in the blood.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that play important roles in the immune response.

Thrombocytes

Platelets involved in blood clotting.

Hematocrit

The proportion of blood that consists of red blood cells.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone that regulates the production and destruction of red blood cells.

Anemia

A condition characterized by insufficient erythrocytes to deliver adequate oxygen to body tissues.

Polycythemia

An abnormal excess of erythrocytes in the blood.

Hemolytic Diseases

Conditions that arise from Rh incompatibility, where an Rh- mother produces antibodies against an Rh+ baby’s blood.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A test that provides a basic assessment of a patient’s overall health and quantifies various blood cells.

P Wave

Atrial depolarization. The waveform representing atrial depolarization on an electrocardiogram.

QRS Complex

Ventricular depolarization. The waveform representing ventricular depolarization on an electrocardiogram.

T Wave

Ventricular repolarization. The waveform representing ventricular repolarization on an electrocardiogram.

Atrial Fibrillation

A condition caused by erratic electrical signals in the atria, resulting in rapid and irregular heartbeats.

Ventricular Tachycardia (V-tach)

A fast heart rhythm originating from the ventricles, characterized by wide QRS complexes.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)

A life-threatening condition where the ventricles quiver instead of contracting effectively, requiring immediate intervention.

PR or PQ Interval

Atrial conduction. The time interval for electrical impulse to travel from the atria to the ventricles.

QT Interval

Ventricular conduction. The time interval representing total ventricular activity, including depolarization and repolarization.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries when the heart ventricles contract.

Diastolic Pressure

The pressure in the arteries when the heart ventricles are relaxed.

Pulmonary circut

The path of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back, allowing for gas exchange.

Tunica media

The middle layer of blood vessel walls, composed of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, responsible for regulating blood vessel diameter. Vein is thinner because there is less blood pressure

Stroke Volume

SV= EDV-ESV The volume of blood pumped from the heart with each beat, calculated as the difference between end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV).

End systolic volume

The amount of blood remaining in the ventricles at the end of contraction (systole), after the heart has pumped.

End diastolic volume

The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of filling (diastole) before the heart contracts.

korotkoff sound

The sounds heard through a stethoscope during blood pressure measurement, produced by the flow of blood as it is restricted by the cuff.

Normal blood pressure

<100/ <80

Elevated

120-129/<80

High blood pressure (hypertension stage 1)

130-139/80-89

High blood pressure (hypertension) stage 2

>140/>90

Hypertensive crisis

>180/>120

conductive system

1. SA node

2. internodal pathway

3. AV node

4. Av bundle/ bundle of his

5. right and left bundle fibers

6. Purkinje fibers

ST segment

Ventricular depolarization/ repolarization time

Sinus Bradycardia

Sinus rhythm rate less than 60 bpm