The Heart - Cardiovascular System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the structure, function, and conditions of the heart within the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular System

The organ system that comprises the heart and blood vessels, responsible for the circulation of blood throughout the body.

Pericardium

The double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels.

Myocardium

The muscular tissue of the heart, responsible for pumping blood.

Diastole

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and the chambers fill with blood.

Systole

The contraction phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscles contract and pump blood.

Bradycardia

A slower than normal heart rate, generally defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

A faster than normal heart rate, generally defined as more than 100 beats per minute.

Fibrillation

An irregular, often rapid heart rate that can lead to poor blood flow and is a serious condition.

Heart Valve Stenosis

A condition where the heart valve does not open fully, restricting blood flow.

Heart Valve Prolapse

A condition where the heart valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backward.

Endocardium

The inner lining of the heart chambers.

Atherosclerosis

A condition characterized by the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, which can restrict blood flow.

Coronary Artery Disease

A disease caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, reducing the flow of blood to the heart muscle.

Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

An emergency procedure performed to restore breathing and blood circulation in a person who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped.

SA Node (Sinoatrial Node)

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium that initiates the heartbeat.

AV Node (Atrioventricular Node)

A specialized cardiac muscle fiber located in the lower part of the right atrium that receives electrical impulses from the SA node and delays them before transmitting to the Bundle of His, allowing the atria to fully contract.

Bundle of His (Atrioventricular Bundle)

A collection of heart muscle cells specialized for electrical conduction, located in the interventricular septum, that transmits the electrical impulse from the AV node to the bundle branches.

Purkinje Fibers

A network of specialized conductive muscle fibers that fan out from the bundle branches into the ventricular myocardium, rapidly distributing the electrical impulse to cause ventricular contraction.

Bachmann’s Bundle (Interatrial Bundle)

A specialized band of conductive tissue that extends from the right atrium to the left atrium, ensuring synchronized contraction of both atria by efficiently transmitting electrical impulses.

Left Bundle Branch

A part of the cardiac conduction system that originates from the Bundle of His and travels down the interventricular septum to distribute electrical impulses to the left ventricle, leading to its contraction.

Right Bundle Branch

A part of the cardiac conduction system that originates from the Bundle of His and travels down the interventricular septum to distribute electrical impulses to the right ventricle, leading to its contraction.

Mitral Valve

A heart valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle. It has two leaflets (cusps).

Tricuspid Valve

A heart valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle. It has three leaflets (cusps).

Aortic Valve

A heart valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta, preventing backflow into the ventricle.

Pulmonary Valve

A heart valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, preventing backflow into the ventricle.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

A rapid and irregular heart rhythm originating in the atria, causing them to quiver uselessly instead of contracting effectively. It's the most common type of arrhythmia.

Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib)

A severe arrhythmia where the ventricles quiver instead of pumping blood, leading to immediate loss of consciousness and often death if not treated promptly. It is a medical emergency.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, distributing oxygenated blood to all parts of the body.

Right Atrium

One of the four chambers of the heart, which receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae and pumps it into the right ventricle.

Left Atrium

One of the four chambers of the heart, which receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins and pumps it into the left ventricle.

Right Ventricle

One of the four chambers of the heart, which pumps deoxygenated blood from the right atrium to the pulmonary artery, leading to the lungs.

Left Ventricle

One of the four chambers of the heart, which pumps oxygenated blood from the left atrium into the aorta, distributing it to the rest of the body.

Vena Cavae

The two largest veins in the body (superior and inferior vena cava), responsible for returning deoxygenated blood from the systemic circulation to the right atrium of the heart.

Pulmonary Arteries

Arteries that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary Veins

Veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart

P Wave (EKG)

Represents atrial depolarization, indicating the contraction of the atria.

QRS Complex (EKG)

Represents ventricular depolarization, indicating the contraction of the ventricles. It is usually the tallest wave on an EKG.

T Wave (EKG)

Represents ventricular repolarization, indicating the relaxation of the ventricles.