Heart Valves and Circulation

These flashcards encompass key terminology and concepts related to heart valves and circulation, aiding in the understanding of the structure and function of the cardiovascular system.

Valves

Structural components that open and close in response to pressure changes in the heart, ensuring one-way blood flow.

Semilunar valve

A valve (pulmonary or aortic) located between the ventricles and the arteries, allowing blood to exit the heart and preventing backflow.

AV valves

Atrioventricular valves (tricuspid and mitral) located between the atria and ventricles, preventing backflow into the atria.

Chordae tendineae

String-like tendons that connect the AV valves to the papillary muscles, helping maintain valve closure.

Papillary muscles

Muscle tissue that contracts to pull on the chordae tendineae, assisting in the proper functioning of the AV valves.

Tricuspid valve

The AV valve located on the right side of the heart, preventing backflow into the right atrium.

Mitral valve (bicuspid valve)

The AV valve located on the left side of the heart, preventing backflow into the left atrium.

Pulmonary circulation

The part of the circulatory system that pumps deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for gas exchange.

Systemic circulation

The part of the circulatory system that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Inferior vena cava

The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart.

Superior vena cava

The vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart.

Carotid arteries

Arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the head and neck.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation.

Gas exchange

The process that occurs in the lungs where oxygen is absorbed into the blood and carbon dioxide is released.

High pressure system

A description of systemic circulation where the left side of the heart must generate high pressure to pump blood throughout the body.

Low pressure system

A description of pulmonary circulation where the right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs at lower pressure.

Right atrium

The upper right chamber of the heart that receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cava.

Left atrium

The upper left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins.

Right ventricle

The lower right chamber of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery, leading to the lungs.

Left ventricle

The lower left chamber of the heart that pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta, distributing it to the systemic circulation.

Pulmonary artery

The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange.

Pulmonary veins

Veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

What type of blood do most arteries carry?

Most arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

What type of blood do most veins carry?

Most veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the body tissues.

Which artery is an exception to carrying oxygenated blood?

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange.

Which veins are an exception to carrying deoxygenated blood?

The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.