Cardiovascular, Hematologic, Lymphatic & Endocrine Systems – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomical structures, physiological processes, pathologies, and hormonal disorders discussed in the lecture.

Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve

Left-side atrioventricular valve with two leaflets; damage causes left-sided heart failure.

Tricuspid Valve

Right-side atrioventricular valve with three leaflets controlling blood flow into the right ventricle.

Pulmonary Veins

Only veins that carry oxygenated blood, returning it from the lungs to the left atrium.

Pulmonary Artery

Only artery that carries deoxygenated blood, transporting it from the right ventricle to the lungs.

SA Node

Heart’s natural pacemaker initiating electrical impulses for each heartbeat.

AV Node

Conductive tissue that delays impulses from the SA node, allowing ventricular filling.

Bundle of His

Conductive fibers transmitting impulses from AV node to right and left bundle branches.

Purkinje Fibers

Terminal conduction network causing synchronous ventricular contraction.

Depolarization

Electrical activation of cardiac muscle leading to contraction.

Repolarization

Electrical recovery phase preparing cardiac muscle for the next beat.

P Wave

ECG representation of atrial depolarization and contraction.

QRS Complex

ECG representation of ventricular depolarization; masks atrial repolarization.

T Wave

ECG representation of ventricular repolarization (resting phase).

Baroreceptors

Pressure sensors in aortic arch & carotids that adjust heart rate via autonomic output.

Cardiac Output

Blood volume ejected by a ventricle per minute (Stroke Volume × Heart Rate).

Preload

Volume of blood returning to the ventricle, stretching myocardial fibers before contraction.

Afterload

Resistance the ventricles must overcome to eject blood, influenced by peripheral vascular resistance.

Tunica Media

Middle muscular layer of blood vessels controlling lumen diameter; damaged in aneurysms.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels decreasing blood pressure & increasing flow.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of blood vessels increasing blood pressure & reducing flow.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

Hormonal pathway triggered by renal hypoperfusion causing vasoconstriction & sodium-water retention.

Erythropoietin

Kidney hormone stimulating RBC production in response to hypoxia.

Hemoglobin

Iron-containing protein in RBCs transporting oxygen & some carbon dioxide.

Bilirubin

Yellow pigment from hemoglobin breakdown; excess causes jaundice.

Hemostasis

Process stopping bleeding through vasoconstriction, platelet plug, and coagulation cascade.

Platelet Plug

Aggregation of thrombocytes sealing small vessel injuries early in hemostasis.

Coagulation Cascade

Series of enzymatic reactions converting fibrinogen to fibrin to stabilize clots.

Fibrinolysis

Plasmin-mediated breakdown of fibrin clots after vessel healing.

Universal Donor

Type O-negative blood; lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, minimizing transfusion reactions.

Universal Recipient

Type AB-positive blood; possesses all major antigens, accepts any ABO/Rh type.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Hemolytic disease of the newborn from Rh incompatibility between mother and fetus.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Microcytic, hypochromic anemia from inadequate iron impairing hemoglobin synthesis.

Pernicious Anemia

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia due to lack of intrinsic factor, causing neuropathy & beefy red tongue.

Aplastic Anemia

Pancytopenia from bone marrow failure, often after chemotherapy or radiation.

Hemolytic Anemia

Premature destruction of RBCs (e.g., sickle cell, thalassemia).

Sickle Cell Anemia

Autosomal recessive disorder producing abnormal HbS, leading to sickled, vaso-occlusive RBCs.

Thalassemia

Inherited defect in globin chain synthesis causing hemolysis and microcytic anemia.

Polycythemia

Excessive RBCs increasing blood viscosity; primary (neoplastic) or secondary (hypoxia-driven).

Leukemia

Malignancy of WBC precursors causing uncontrolled proliferation and bone marrow failure.

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Lymphoid cancer marked by Reed–Sternberg cells; usually starts in a single lymph node.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Diverse group of B- or T-cell malignancies with multiple node involvement; lacks Reed–Sternberg cells.

Multiple Myeloma

Plasma-cell cancer producing bone lesions, hypercalcemia, and monoclonal antibodies.

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening/thickening of small arteries and arterioles, reducing elasticity.

Atherosclerosis

Plaque buildup in large arteries leading to CAD, stroke, PAD.

Aneurysm

Localized arterial wall dilation; risk of rupture and hemorrhage.

Lymphedema

Tissue swelling due to lymphatic obstruction or congenital vessel absence.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells causing absolute insulin deficiency.

Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

Insulin resistance with relative deficiency, often associated with obesity & metabolic syndrome.

Hypoglycemia

Blood glucose <70 mg/dL causing shakiness, tachycardia, diaphoresis, confusion.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Type 1 emergency with hyperglycemia, ketosis, acidosis, and dehydration.

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HHS)

Type 2 crisis with severe hyperglycemia & dehydration but minimal ketosis.

Gigantism

Excess growth hormone before epiphyseal closure, causing extreme stature.

Acromegaly

Excess growth hormone after growth plate closure, enlarging hands, feet, skull.

Diabetes Insipidus

ADH deficiency causing polyuria of dilute urine and intense thirst.

SIADH

Excess ADH leading to water retention, hyponatremia, concentrated urine.

Graves’ Disease

Autoimmune hyperthyroidism with exophthalmos, heat intolerance, weight loss.

Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Autoimmune destruction of thyroid initially causing hyperthyroid then chronic hypothyroid state.

Myxedema Coma

Life-threatening severe hypothyroidism with hypothermia, hypotension, hypoglycemia.

Pheochromocytoma

Catecholamine-secreting adrenal medulla tumor causing episodic hypertension & palpitations.

Cushing Syndrome

Excess glucocorticoids producing moon face, buffalo hump, hyperglycemia.

Addison Disease

Adrenocortical insufficiency leading to fatigue, hypotension, hyperpigmentation, hyperkalemia.