Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Lecture

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including anatomy, cell types, physiological volumes, and clinical implications.

Cardiovascular System

A closed circuit circulation of blood from start to end that delivers oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and heat to tissues while removing carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes.

Heart Apex

The inferior tip of the heart that points towards the left.

Fibrous pericardium

The outermost, tough covering of the heart that anchors and protects the organ.

Visceral serous pericardium

The layer that adheres to the heart surface and forms the epicardium.

Myocardium

The thick layer of the heart wall responsible for generating contractions.

Endocardium

The smooth endothelial lining of the heart's chambers and valves.

Coronary sinus

The vessel that collects blood from cardiac veins and empties it into the right atrium.

SA node

The specialized autorhythmic cardiac muscle cells that initiate impulses and normally set the heart rate.

AV node

A specific part of the conduction pathway that briefly delays the electrical impulse to allow the ventricles to fill with blood.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart chambers relax and fill with blood.

Atrial systole

The phase where the atria contract to complete ventricular filling.

Ventricular systole

The phase in the cardiac cycle involving the ejection of blood into the pulmonary trunk and the aorta.

Arterioles

Small vessels that regulate resistance and tissue perfusion.

Capillaries

The principal exchange vessels that permit the movement of nutrients and waste between blood and tissues.

Tunica media

The thickest layer in arteries, composed of elastic fibers, which controls vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Precapillary sphincter

Muscle cells that monitor and regulate blood flow into true capillaries; they open during exercise or in active tissue.

Thoroughfare channel

Provides a direct route from the metarteriole to the venule within a capillary bed.

Systolic pressure

The peak arterial pressure reached during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic pressure

The lowest arterial pressure reached during ventricular relaxation.

Hematopoiesis

The formation of blood cells occurring in red bone marrow at birth.

Serum

Plasma after fibrinogen and other clotting factors have been consumed or removed during the clotting process.

Erythrocytes

Nucleus-free cells that hold oxygen via hemoglobin and have a lifespan of approximately $120$ days.

Hemoglobin (Male)

The protein in red blood cells measured at a normal range of $13-18\,g\,dL^{-1}$ for men.

Platelets

Cell fragments derived from megakaryocytes that function in adhesion, activation, and aggregation during coagulation with a lifespan of $7-10$ days.

Leukocytes

Nucleated cells that defend against infection, typically found in a range of $4.5-11.0 \times 10^9\,dm^{-3}$.

Neutrophils

Granulocytes that act as first responders to bacterial infection via phagocytosis.

Eosinophils

Granulocytes with bilobed nuclei and red-orange granules that participate in responses to parasites and allergic inflammation.

Basophils

Granulocytes that release histamine and heparin and play a role in allergic responses.

B lymphocytes

Agranulocytes that support antibody-mediated immunity.

T lymphocytes

Agranulocytes that coordinate and carry out cell-mediated immunity; they mature in the thymus.

Monocytes

The largest circulating leukocytes that perform phagocytosis.

Circle of Willis

The major systemic arterial arrangement supplying the brain.

Hepatic portal vein

The main venous route associated with the liver.

Chyle

Lipid-rich, milky-appearing lymph transported from intestinal lacteals.

Spleen

A lymphatic organ in the upper left abdomen that filters blood, removes damaged red blood cells, and stores platelets.

Waldeyer’s ring

A lymphoid defense ring protecting the pharynx, composed of pharyngeal, tubal, palatine, and lingual tonsils.

Epiglottis

An unpaired laryngeal cartilage that closes during swallowing to protect the airway.

Carina

The anatomical point where the trachea divides into the right and left bronchi, located near the sternal angle at levels $T4-T5$.

Type II pneumocyte

Specialized cells that secrete surfactant to reduce surface tension and help renew the alveolar epithelium.

Atelectasis

A clinical condition of lung collapse that occurs when alveoli lack sufficient surfactant.

External respiration

The exchange of gases between the alveolus and the pulmonary capillary.

Internal respiration

The exchange of gases between the blood and tissue cells.

Tidal Volume ($TV$)

The volume of air inspired or expired during quiet breathing, approximately $500\,cm^3$.

Expiratory Reserve Volume ($ERV$)

The additional air that can be expired after a normal expiration, approximately $1200\,cm^3$.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume ($IRV$)

The additional air that can be inspired after a normal inspiration, approximately $3500\,cm^3$.

Residual Volume ($RV$)

The volume of air that remains in the lungs after maximum expiration, approximately $1200\,cm^3$.

Cor pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure caused by increased pressure in the lungs due to left-sided heart failure or valve deficiency.

Stenosis

A narrowing of a heart valve opening that restricts blood flow.