Cardiovascular System Review

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary within the cardiovascular system, focusing on the heart's structure, function, and pathology.

thoracic cavity

The cavity where the heart is located.

mediastinum

The space between the lungs where the heart lies.

2nd rib

The rib at which the base of the heart is located.

5th or 6th rib

The ribs where the apex of the heart is located.

clenched fist

The approximate size of the heart.

8–12 ounces

The weight range of the heart.

atria

Low-pressure chambers of the heart that collect blood.

ventricles

High-pressure chambers of the heart that pump blood.

interatrial septum

The septum that separates the atria.

interventricular septum

The septum that separates the ventricles.

deoxygenated

The type of blood carried by the right side of the heart.

superior vena cava (SVC)

The vessel that drains blood from above the heart.

inferior vena cava (IVC)

The vessel that drains blood from below the heart.

pulmonary artery

Vessel through which the right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs.

oxygenated

The type of blood received by the left side of the heart.

4 pulmonary veins

The vessels through which blood returns from the lungs.

aorta

The major vessel the left ventricle pumps blood into.

simultaneously

How both sides of the heart work.

unidirectional

The type of blood flow valves ensure.

tricuspid valve

The right atrioventricular valve.

bicuspid or mitral valve

The left atrioventricular valve.

chordae tendineae

Fibrous cords connecting valve flaps to papillary muscles.

papillary muscles

Muscles that prevent valves from flipping backward.

ventricles and blood vessels

Where semilunar valves are located.

pulmonary artery

Location of the pulmonary valve.

aorta

Location of the aortic valve.

AV valves

Valves that close, causing the 'Lub' heart sound.

semilunar valves

Valves that close, causing the 'Dub' heart sound.

diastole

The relaxation phase of the heart.

systole

The contraction phase of the heart.

60–100 bpm

The normal heart rate.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

MAP stands for this.

organs

Blood flow to these is determined by MAP.

lack

Result of low MAP on flow.

stress

High MAP causes this on the heart.

2/3 Diastolic + 1/3 Systolic

The formula for calculating MAP.

minute

Cardiac output is measured as the amount of blood pumped per this unit.

liters per minute

The unit for measuring cardiac output.

beat

Stroke volume is the amount of blood per this.

minute

Heart rate is measured in beats per this.

120/80

Normal blood pressure.

120 mmHg

Normal systolic pressure is less than this.

80 mmHg

Normal diastolic pressure is less than this.

Contracting cells and conducting cells

The two main types of heart cells.

Contracting cells

Cardiac muscle cells are this type.

Cardiac muscle cells

The majority of heart cells.

Pump blood

The function of contracting cells.

In specific sites throughout the heart

Location of conducting cells.

Interconnected through fibers

How conducting cells are connected.

Control the rate of contraction of cardiac muscle cells

The function of conducting cells.

contract independently

What unique ability do cardiac cells have?

they begin beating in unison

What happens when individual cardiac cells touch.

Intercalated disks

Structures that connect cardiac cell membranes.

sinoatrial (SA) node

The natural pacemaker of the heart.

right atrium

Location of the SA node.

Atria to contract

What the SA node causes.

an electrical signal

What the SA node generates.

atrioventricular (AV) node

Receives the signal from the SA node.

AV bundle, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers

How the AV node transmits signals.

along the wall between the two ventricles

Location of the AV bundle.

penetrate ventricular walls

What Purkinje fibers do.

spread through the atria

What happens to signals from the SA node.

signals are delayed

What happens at the AV node.

to the heart apex

Where bundle branches send signals.

spread throughout the ventricles

What happens after signals reach the apex.

Sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions

The two divisions that regulate the pacemaker.

speeds it up

What the sympathetic division does to heart rate.

slows it down

What the parasympathetic division does to heart rate.

Hormones and temperature

What else regulates the pacemaker besides the nervous system.

increases heart rate

What thyroid hormone does to heart rate.

increases body temperature

What thyroid hormone does to body temperature.

Pressure-sensitive receptors

What baroreceptors are.

atrium of the heart, aortic arch, and carotid arteries

Where baroreceptors are located.

blood pressure

What baroreceptors monitor.

cardiac center in the medulla oblongata

Where baroreceptors send information.

ventricular fibrillation

Irregular contraction of the ventricles.

problems with the internal conduction system

Cause of ventricular fibrillation.

Electric shock

How to treat ventricular fibrillation.

electrocardiogram (ECG)

A recording of the electrical events of the heartbeat.

heart problems

What abnormal ECG patterns can indicate.

three

How many main ECG waves there are.

P wave

Represents signals from the SA node spreading across the atria.

QRS wave

Represents signals spreading through ventricles and ventricular contraction.

T wave

Represents return of ventricles to the electrical state before contraction.

coronary circulation

What percentage of blood pumped by the heart goes to coronary circulation.

to supply abundant oxygen (O₂) and nutrients

Why the heart needs coronary circulation.

ascending aorta

Where the left and right coronary arteries branch from.

Anterior interventricular branch and circumflex branch

Branches of the left coronary artery (LCA).

Right atrium and sinoatrial (SA) node (pacemaker)

Supplies the right coronary artery (RCA).

coronary artery disease (CAD)

Constriction of coronary arteries.

atherosclerosis

The usual cause of coronary artery disease.

hypertension, viruses, diabetes, and other causes

What damages the endothelium in CAD.

macrophages

What monocytes become after entering damaged vessels.

foam cells

Macrophages that absorb cholesterol and fats.

atherosclerotic plaques (atheromas)

What foam cells develop into.

platelet-derived growth factor

What platelets release in damaged areas.

obstruct the arterial lumen

What happens as plaques grow.

angina pectoris

Chest pain from partial obstruction of coronary blood flow.

ischemia of cardiac muscle

What causes angina pain.

anaerobic fermentation producing lactic acid

What metabolic shift occurs during angina.