Anatomy (Blood and the circulatory system)

Erythrocytes

RBCs, carry oxygen, anatomy: biconcave disks, hemoglobin, anucleate, contain very few organelles

Leukocytes

WBCs, important in body defense against disease, move into and out of blood vessels, respond by chemical release by damage tissues

Plasma

The liquid component of blood that transports cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. It comprises about 55% of total blood volume and contains proteins, electrolytes, and water.

Agranulocytes

WBCs that lack granules in their cytoplasm (monocytes and lymphocytes)

Granulocytes

WBCs that contain granules in their cytoplasm (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils)

Iron deficiency anemia

Low RBC due to insufficient iron, leading to reduced hemoglobin levels, treated with iron supplements

Sickle Cell Anemia

A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in misshapen red blood cells that can lead to blockages in blood vessels and reduced oxygen delivery

Polycythemia

Increase in the number of RBCs in the bloodstream, which can lead to increased blood viscosity and related complications.

Leukocytosis

Increased number of WBCs in the bloodstream, often indicating an infection or other medical condition

Leukemia

A type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow, characterized by the overproduction of abnormal WBCs

Hemophilia

A genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to make blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding

Beta Thalassemia

A genetic blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues

Pulmonary circulation

The movement of blood between the heart and lungs, where it is oxygenated before returning to the heart

Systemic circuclation

The pathway of blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues while removing waste products.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting O2 from the lungs to the body's tissues and facilitating the return of CO2 from the tissues back to the lungs

Visceral pericardium

The layer of the pericardium that directly covers the heart's surface, providing protection and support

Parietal pericardium

The outer layer of the pericardium that provides a protective barrier and anchors the heart within the thoracic cavity.

serous fluid

A lubricating fluid found between the layers of the pericardium that reduces friction during heart movement

Pericardium

A double-walled sac containing the heart and the roots of the major blood vessels. It consists of the visceral and parietal layers that protect and support the heart.

Heart wall

The heart wall is composed of three layers: the epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium, each serving specific structural and functional roles

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the pericardium, which provides a protective covering and helps reduce friction

Myocardium

The thick middle layer of the heart wall, comprised of cardiac muscle tissue, which is responsible for the contraction and pumping action of the heart

Endocardium

The inner lining of the heart wall, composed of endothelial cells, which lines the heart chambers and helps regulate blood flow.

Cardiac Cycle

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

P Wave

The first deflection in an ECG that represents atrial depolarization, occurring before the contraction of the atria

QRS complex

The series of three deflections in an ECG that represents ventricular depolarization, crucial for initiating the contraction of the ventricles

T wave

The deflection in an ECG that represents ventricular repolarization, occurring after the contraction of the ventricles and preceding the next heartbeat. (rest)

Diastole

relaxation of the ventricles (bottom)

Systole

contraction of the ventricles (top)

Hypertension

high systolic pressure

SA node

pacemaker, generate electrical impulses that initiate heartbeat

AV node

delays electrical impulses to allow atria to contract and pump blood int ventricles

AV bundle

carry electrical impulse from AV node to ventricle

Purkinje fibers

branching fibers that distribute the electrical impulses throughout the ventricles (stimulate contraction)

coronary artery disease

coronary arteries become blocked (partial or full)

Myocardial infarction

heart attack, caused by the blockage of an artery, symptoms: pressure, pain, chest discomfort, anxiety, paleness, irregular heartbeat

Angina pectoris

partial blockage of or narrowed artery, caused by: coronary artery disease, plaque build up in arteries, increased heart workload

Coronary artery bypass graft

surgery that creates a new path for blood flow around a blocked artery in the heart, transplant a healthy artery from the chest or leg, improves blood flow to the heart muscle

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

open blocked coronary arteries, improve blood flow to the heart, reduce chest pain, prevent heart attack: insert a guide wire and balloon catheter into a blocked artery, inflate the balloon to open the artery, in some cases a stent is placed in the artery to keep it open