Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering heart anatomy, coronary circulation, fetal structures, and cardiac pathologies.

Mediastinum

The anatomical location of the heart between the lungs, bordered anteriorly by the sternum and posteriorly by the thoracic spine.

Pulmonary circuit

The division of circulation driven by the right side of the heart that carries blood to the lungs and back.

Systemic circuit

The division of circulation driven by the left side of the heart that provides blood to the rest of the body and the heart muscle itself.

Fibrous pericardium

The tough, outer layer of the parietal pericardium that attaches the heart to the diaphragm.

Visceral pericardium

Also known as the epicardium, this is the deepest layer of the pericardium located directly on the surface of the heart.

Pericardial cavity

The space between the visceral and parietal layers filled with pericardial fluid to reduce friction and prevent tissue damage during heart movement.

Myocardium

The thick middle layer of the heart composed of cardiac muscle; it is metabolically flexible, utilizing carbs, fat, ketones, and lactic acid.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart that lines the muscle to protect it from turbulent, erosive blood flow.

Right marginal artery

A branch of the right coronary artery that runs down the right margin of the heart.

Posterior interventricular artery

A branch of the right coronary artery located on the back of the heart that runs between the ventricles.

Anterior interventricular artery

A branch of the left coronary artery found on the front of the heart that separates the right and left ventricles.

Circumflex artery

A branch of the left coronary artery that circles around to the posterior side of the heart.

Great cardiac vein

The vein that runs alongside the anterior interventricular artery.

Middle cardiac vein

The vein that runs alongside the posterior interventricular artery.

Coronary sinus

A pouch on the posterior of the heart where the great, middle, and small cardiac veins fuse; it empties directly into the right atrium.

Ischemia

A scientific term used to describe low blood flow.

Chordae tendineae

Strands of connective tissue, often called heart strings, that attach AV valves to papillary muscles.

Papillary muscles

Muscles in the ventricular walls that contract to tether AV valve flaps and prevent them from blowing backwards.

Valve prolapse

A condition where a heart valve blows backwards in the opposite direction, potentially reducing systemic oxygen levels.

Foramen ovale

A hole in the fetal interatrial wall that allows blood to bypass the lungs by moving directly from the right side of the heart to the left side.

Fossa ovalis

The shallow depression remaining on the interatrial wall after the foramen ovale closes following birth.

Ductus arteriosus

A short fetal blood vessel connecting the pulmonary trunk to the aorta to provide a second lung bypass.

Stenosis

A term describing the narrowing of a passage, such as a heart valve, which increases the difficulty of blood flow.

Tetralogy of Fallot

A congenital condition involving four heart defects: right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary valve stenosis, and a shifted aorta.

Concentric heart hypertrophy

A maladaptive condition caused by chronic stress (like hypertension) where heart muscle mass increases but volume decreases, resulting in less blood movement.

Eccentric heart hypertrophy

A beneficial condition known as athlete's heart, resulting from exercise, characterized by increased muscle mass and increased chamber volume.

Dilated cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart appears enlarged but has thinned, weakened ventricular walls, leading to heart failure.

Heart fibrosis

The buildup of stiff, fibrous connective tissue in the heart typically caused by inflammation, which prevents the heart from fully relaxing and filling.