Circulatory System Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary and concepts related to the circulatory system, covering topics from basic components to blood vessels.

Hemocoel

Central cavity in open circulatory systems where blood is pumped.

Hemolymph

The 'blood' in open circulatory systems; it mixes with interstitial fluid.

Ostia

Openings in the heart through which hemolymph re-enters in open circulatory systems.

Atrium

Chamber of the heart responsible for blood collection.

Ventricle

Chamber of the heart responsible for blood pumping.

Gill circulation

Movement of blood between the heart and gills (in fish).

Systemic circulation

Movement of blood between the heart and the body.

Pulmonary circulation

Circulation of blood through the lungs and back to the heart.

Pulmocutaneous circulation

Gas exchange through the skin, as seen in amphibians.

Convergent evolution

Independent evolution of the same or similar biological trait.

Erythrocytes

Specialized cells that circulate through the body delivering oxygen to the cells (Red Blood Cells).

Hemoglobin

An iron-containing protein that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide within red blood cells.

B cells

Produce antibodies.

T cells

Attack infected and cancerous cells directly or call on other cells in the immune system

Natural killer cells

Attack a variety of infectious microbes and certain tumor cells

Serum

Plasma without the coagulation factors.

Coronary circulation

Blood circulation specifically to the heart muscle.

Endocardium

Inner layer of the heart tissue.

Myocardium

Middle layer of the heart tissue.

Epicardium

Outer layer of the heart tissue.

Pericardium

Membranous layered around the heart.

Pericardial fluid

Lubricates the heart to reduce friction.

Cardiomyocytes

Distinctive muscle cells that are striated like skeletal muscle but pump rhythmically and involuntarily like smooth muscle.

Superior vena cava

Drains blood from the upper body into the right atrium.

Inferior vena cava

Drains blood from the lower body into the right atrium.

Coronary sinus

Drains deoxygenated blood from the heart itself into the right atrium.

Tricuspid valve

The atrioventricular valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Pulmonary arteries

Carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Semilunar valve

Valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries.

Systole

Active contraction phase of the heart.

Diastole

Resting phase between contractions of the heart.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Internal pacemaker of the heart.

Atrioventricular (AV) node

Node between the right atrium and right ventricle that receives the signal from the SA node.

Purkinje fibers

Conduct the impulse from the apex of the heart up the ventricular myocardium.

Arteries

Take blood away from the heart.

Arterioles

Smaller vessels that branch off of arteries.

Capillaries

Narrowest vessel type; site of gas exchange.

Venules

Smaller vessels than veins.

Veins

Return blood to the heart.

Tunica media

Middle layer of blood vessels in arteries and veins

Tunica adventitia

Outer layer of blood vessels in arteries and veins

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of the blood vessels.

Vasodilation

The widening of the blood vessels.

Systolic blood pressure

Blood pressure during the contraction phase.

Diastolic blood pressure

Blood pressure during the rest phase between beats.