Atherosclerosis and the Cardiac Cycle

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, the specific stages of the cardiac cycle, and the role of the heart's natural pacemaker.

Atherosclerosis

A disease characterized by the accumulation of fats, primarily cholesterol, in the walls of arteries, leadine to the formation of plaques.

Atherosclerotic plaque

An accumulation of fats and white blood cells in the arterial wall that causes the artery to narrow and become less elastic.

LDL-cholesterol

A type of cholesterol that enters the heart's arterial walls after the inner lining is damaged, contributing to fat buildup.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart is relaxed, allowing blood to flow from the veins into the atria and then into the ventricles while AV-valves are open and semilunar valves are closed.

Atrial systole

The part of the cardiac cycle where the atria contract to push the remaining blood into the ventricles.

Ventricular systole

The phase where ventricles contract, AV-valves close, semilunar valves open, and blood is ejected into the pulmonary artery and the aorta.

Pacemaker

The heart's natural regulator that automatically generates electrical pulses to determine heart rate and trigger the contraction of atria and ventricles.

Blood clot

A blockage that forms if a plaque ruptures, potentially obstructing blood flow in a vessel.