Heart Chambers, Vessels, and Valves

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on heart structure and function, focusing on heart chambers, valves, vessels, and the conduction system.

What are the two main functions of the cardiovascular system?

To transport blood throughout the body for delivery of O2 and nutrients, and removal of CO2 and wastes.

What is the function of arteries in the cardiovascular system?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, mostly carrying oxygenated blood.

Which chambers of the heart receive blood from the body?

The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood.

What is the role of the left side of the heart?

The left side receives oxygenated blood and pumps it to the body.

What are the four chambers of the heart?

Atria and ventricles.

What do the atrioventricular (AV) valves do?

They ensure one-way flow of blood between the atrium and ventricle of each side.

What are the names of the two AV valves?

Tricuspid (right AV valve) and mitral (bicuspid, left AV valve).

Describe the pulmonary circulation.

It moves deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

What is the aorta's function?

To transport oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

What separates the left atrium from the right atrium?

The interatrial septum.

What is the main role of cardiac veins?

To transport deoxygenated blood away from the heart wall toward the right atrium.

What are the layers of the heart wall?

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

What is an ectopic pacemaker?

A pacemaker other than the SA node, such as the AV node.

What role does the sinoatrial (SA) node play in the heart?

It initiates and propagates the action potential for heart contraction.

What can cause bradycardia?

Some health issues such as hypothyroidism, electrolyte imbalance, and congestive heart failure.

What is myocardial infarction?

A heart attack resulting from the sudden and complete occlusion of a coronary artery.

What is valvular insufficiency?

When cardiac valves leak because their cusps do not close tightly, leading to blood regurgitation.