Cardiovascular Flashcard

The circulatory system is anatomically composed of which two primary sub-systems?

The cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system

Which specific components constitute the cardiovascular system?

The heart, blood, and blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries).

In the hierarchy of the circulatory system, what three components belong to the lymphatic system?

Lymph fluid, lymph nodes, and lymph vessels

What is the primary functional difference between the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system based on the 'pump' mechanism?

The cardiovascular system utilizes the heart as a pump, whereas the lymphatic system does not.

Define the primary functional roles of both the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems

Transport and protection

By definition, in which direction do arteries carry blood relative to the heart?

Away from the heart.

Which circulatory circuit is responsible for transporting blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs?

The pulmonary circuit

Through which specific vessel does blood leave the right side of the heart to enter the pulmonary circuit?

The pulmonary trunk (artery)

Through which vessels does blood re-enter the left side of the heart from the lungs?

The pulmonary veins

Which circulatory circuit carries blood from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body systems?

The systemic circuit

What is the primary exit vessel for blood leaving the left side of the heart for systemic circulation?

The aorta

Through which specific vessels does blood return to the right side of the heart from systemic circulation?

The vena cavae

What gas exchange occurs in the lungs during the pulmonary circuit?

O2​ enters the blood and CO2​ leaves the blood

In the general pattern of circulation, what type of vessel immediately follows the arteries?

Arterioles

In the general pattern of circulation, which vessels are the site of gas exchange between arterioles and venules?

Capillaries

The process of blood vessels branching out from 'big to small' as they move away from the heart is termed _____

Divergence

The process of vessels merging from 'small to big' as they return to the heart is termed _____.

Convergence

What is the anatomical term for the fibrous and serous membrane that lines the pericardial cavity?

The pericardium

Which two specific layers constitute the 'pericardial sac'?

The fibrous pericardium and the parietal pericardium.

Where is the pericardial cavity located relative to the pericardial membranes?

Between the parietal pericardium and the visceral pericardium

What is the physiological function of the serous fluid found within the pericardial cavity?

It acts as a lubricant to decrease friction during heart contractions

The visceral pericardium is anatomically synonymous with which layer of the heart wall?

The epicardium

List the three primary layers of the heart wall from superficial to deep

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium

The prefix 'myo-' in myocardium specifically refers to _____.

Muscle

Besides cardiac muscle tissue, name three other components found within the myocardium

Connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves

What specific tissue type composes the endocardium?

Simple squamous epithelium

Which muscle tissue type is characterized as long, striated, multinucleated, and under voluntary control?

Skeletal muscle

How are skeletal muscle cells typically referred to in histology?

Muscle fibers or myofibers

Contrast the nuclear arrangement of skeletal muscle cells versus cardiac muscle cells.

Skeletal muscle cells are multinucleated, while cardiac muscle cells are mononucleated

Which specialized cell-to-cell junctions are unique to cardiac muscle tissue?

Intercalated discs

What are the specialized cells of the heart that initiate automatic contraction called?

Pacemaker cells

Cardiac muscle is considered _____ because its contraction is not under conscious control

Involuntary

Which muscle tissue type is characterized as small, spindle-shaped, nonstriated, and mononucleated?

Smooth muscle

Where is smooth muscle typically located within the cardiovascular system?

In the walls of blood vessels

What specialized cells in smooth muscle allow it to contract on its own?

Pacesetter cells

How do cardiac muscle cells differ from skeletal muscle cells regarding their energy metabolism dependency?

Cardiac muscle is almost completely dependent on aerobic respiration

Which specific component of an intercalated disc functions to 'lock' the cardiocytes together?

Desmosomes

Which component of an intercalated disc allows for the movement of ions and molecules between cells?

Gap junctions

Cardiocytes are connected in a 'functional syncytium,' meaning they are linked in what three ways?

Physically/mechanically, electrically, and chemically

The anterior surface of the heart is also known as the _____ surface.

Sternocostal

Which heart chambers predominantly form the anterior surface of the heart?

The right atrium and right ventricle

The posteroinferior surface of the heart is also known as the _____ surface

Diaphragmatic

Which heart structure predominantly forms the diaphragmatic surface?

The wall of the left ventricle

The superior border of the heart is formed by the _____

Base of the heart

Which chamber specifically forms the right border of the heart?

The right atrium

Which heart structure forms the left border?

The left ventricle

Where does the left border of the heart meet the inferior border?

At the apex of the heart

Which chamber's inferior wall mainly forms the inferior border of the heart?

The right ventricle

The base of the heart serves as the attachment point for which structures?

Major arteries and veins

During ventricular diastole, what happens to the papillary muscles?

They relax.

What is the status of the atrioventricular (A-V) valves during ventricular diastole?

They are open, offering no resistance to blood flow

What is the status of the semilunar valves during ventricular diastole?

They are closed

During ventricular systole, what force causes the semilunar valves to open?

The pressure from contracting blood

Which two structures prevent the atrioventricular valves from swinging back into the atria during ventricular systole?

The papillary muscles and chordae tendineae

Compare the myocardial wall thickness of the atria versus the ventricles

The atria have thinner walls than the ventricles

In histology, what is another name for a smooth muscle cell?

Myocyte

What are cardiac muscle cells specifically called?

Cardiocytes

Which type of muscle tissue exhibits a 'branched' cell shape?

Cardiac muscle

How does the nervous system interact with the heart's pacemaker cells?

The nervous system alters the rate of contraction but does not initiate it

Identify the innermost endothelial lining covering the trabeculae carneae.

The endocardium

Which layer of the pericardium is in direct contact with the heart organ?

The visceral pericardium (epicardium)

The fibrous pericardium is described as being _____ (histological characteristic).

Dense

In the general pattern of circulation, name the transition vessel from capillaries back toward the heart

Venules

How do skeletal muscle contractions differ from cardiac contractions in terms of the initiation source?

Skeletal contraction is initiated by the nervous system (voluntary), while cardiac contraction is automatic/pacemaker-driven (involuntary).

True or False: Smooth muscle contraction can be triggered by neural activity.

true

What is the primary functional difference between desmosomes and gap junctions in cardiocytes?

Desmosomes provide mechanical linkage, while gap junctions provide electrical/chemical pathways

In orientation, the heart's superior border is synonymous with the _____.

Base

During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the ventricles fill with blood?

Ventricular diastole

During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the ventricles contract?

Ventricular systole

Which heart chamber is known as a 'receiving chamber'?

The atrium.

What determines the diameter of respiratory passageways and blood vessels?

Smooth muscle tissue

Explain why cardiac muscle requires a more extensive blood supply than skeletal muscle

Because it is almost completely dependent on aerobic respiration for high energy demands

The 'striated' appearance in muscle tissue is caused by a specific pattern of _____.

Proteins

Which heart border is formed by the right atrium?

The right border