The Human Heart: Structure, Function, and Circulation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to the structure, function, and circulation of the heart.

Cardiovascular System

The system that facilitates blood circulation throughout the body, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Pericardium

The double-walled sac that contains the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner serous membrane.

Myocardium

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart wall responsible for contraction and pumping blood.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart (right atrium and left atrium) that receive blood.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart (right ventricle and left ventricle) that pump blood away from the heart.

Septum

The wall dividing the left and right sides of the heart; includes interventricular septum (between ventricles) and interatrial septum (between atria).

Heart Valves

Flaps of tissue that prevent backflow of blood; include the tricuspid valve, bicuspid valve, and semilunar valves.

Semilunar Valves

Valves located between ventricles and arteries; include the pulmonary semilunar valve and aortic semilunar valve.

Systole

The phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood.

Diastole

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

Systemic Circulation

The part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Pulmonary Circulation

The part of the cardiovascular system that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and returns oxygenated blood to the heart.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle itself.

Chordae Tendineae

Tendons that connect the heart valves to the papillary muscles, preventing the valves from inverting.

Foramen Ovale

An opening between the right and left atria in the fetal heart that allows blood to bypass the lungs.

Ductus Arteriosus

A temporary blood vessel in the fetus that connects the pulmonary trunk to the aorta, bypassing pulmonary circulation.

Myocardial Infarction

Also known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.

Arrhythmia

An irregular heartbeat, which can result in ineffective pumping of blood.