Cardiovascular System Combining Forms, Prefixes, Suffixes, General terms

angi/o

Vessel (blood or lymph)

aort/o

Aorta

arterio/o

Artery

ather/o

Fatty plaque

atrio/o

Atrium

cardi/o, coron/o

Heart

electr/o

Electricity

hemangi/o

Blood vessel

my/o

Muscle

phleb/o

Vein

sphygm/o

Pulse

sten/o

Narrowing

thromb/o

Blood clot

vascul/o

Vessel

valv/o

Valve

vas/o

Vessel

brady

slow

tachy

fast

-cardia

heart condition

-ole

small

-sclerosis

hardening

-stenosis

narrowing

-tension

pressure within a vessel

arteries

Transport blood away from the heart

veins

Transport blood towards the heart

capillaries

vessels that allow for exchange of nutrients

mycardium

Heart muscle

atria

the upper chambers of the heart

ventricles

the lower chambers of the heart

diastolic pressure

relaxed phase of the heartbeat

systolic pressure

contraction phase of the heartbeat

sphygomomanometer

manometer - pressure measurement device, Sphygmo - pulse

aneurysm

weakening of an arterial wall causing distension or bulging

arrhythmia

irregular heartbeat - also called dysrhythmia

arteriosclerosis

hardening of the arteries

atherosclerosis

A buildup of plaque (fats and cholesterol primarily) inside arterial walls

embolus

A mass that dislodges from part of the body and causes a blockage in another area

hemangioma

Bright red birthmark hemorrhoid Swollen/inflamed veins around the anus and rectum

hypertension

High blood pressure

hypotension

LOW blood pressure

myocardial infarction

Inadequate blood supply to the heart muscle (heart attack!)

thrombus

A stationary blood clot

diuretic

A medication that acts on the kidneys to excrete more water and sodium

varicose veins

Enlarged, engorged superficial veins- due to backflow from poorly functioning valves