Anatomy & Physiology: Cardiovascular System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the cardiovascular system as outlined in the lecture notes.

Perfusion

The delivery of blood per time per gram of tissue, essential for maintaining cell health.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, most of which carry oxygenated blood.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart, most of which carry deoxygenated blood.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs.

Atria

Superior chambers of the heart that receive blood and send it to the ventricles.

Ventricles

Inferior chambers of the heart that pump blood away from the heart.

Valves

Structures in the heart that ensure one-way flow of blood, preventing backflow.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Valves situated between atria and ventricles to prevent backflow into atria.

Semilunar valves

Valves located at the boundary of ventricles and arterial trunks that prevent backflow to ventricles.

Pulmonary circulation

The pathway of deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Systemic circulation

The pathway of oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to systemic cells.

Congestive Heart Failure

A condition characterized by the heart's impaired ability to pump blood, leading to edema.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the great vessels.

Fibrous skeleton

Dense irregular connective tissue providing structural support in the heart.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Cardiac output

The amount of blood pumped by a single ventricle in one minute.

Stroke volume

The amount of blood ejected from the ventricle with each heartbeat.

SA node (Sinoatrial node)

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium that initiates the heartbeat.

Pacemaker potential

The ability of SA nodal cells to reach threshold without external stimulation.

Frank-Starling law

The principle that the stroke volume of the heart increases in response to an increase in the volume of blood filling the heart.

Heart Anatomy

The structure of the heart, including its chambers (atria and ventricles), valves, and associated blood vessels.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in the heart during one complete heartbeat, including contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole).

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, commonly measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Hemodynamics

The study of blood flow and the forces that affect circulation within the body.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A graphical representation of the electrical activity of the heart over time, used to diagnose various cardiac conditions.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated muscle tissue found only in the heart, characterized by its involuntary contractions and unique cellular structure.

Coronary Circulation

The circulation of blood to and from the tissues of the heart, primarily through the coronary arteries.

Ejection Fraction

The percentage of blood that is ejected from a ventricle during each heartbeat, an important measure of heart function.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped by a single ventricle in one minute, an essential measure of heart performance.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the ventricle with each heartbeat, indicating the efficiency of the heart's pumping action.

SA Node (Sinoatrial Node)

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium that initiates the heartbeat and maintains heart rhythm.

Pacemaker Potential

The ability of SA nodal cells to reach threshold and generate action potentials without external stimulation.

Frank-Starling Law

The principle stating that the stroke volume of the heart increases in response to an increase in the volume of blood fill-in the heart.

Congestive Heart Failure

A condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is impaired, leading to fluid buildup in tissues.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac surrounding the heart, providing protection and anchoring it to surrounding structures.

Coronary Arteries

Arteries supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, critical for its energy needs.

Valves

Structures in the heart that ensure one-way flow of blood, preventing backflow.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Valves situated between atria and ventricles to prevent backflow into atria.

Semilunar valves

Valves located at the boundary of ventricles and arterial trunks that prevent backflow to ventricles.

Pulmonary circulation

The pathway of deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Systemic circulation

The pathway of oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to systemic cells.

Coronary Circulation

The circulation of blood to and from the tissues of the heart, primarily through the coronary arteries.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle.

Cardiac Muscle

Striated muscle tissue found only in the heart, characterized by its involuntary contractions and unique cellular structure.