Cardiovascular System

Cardiovascular System

The system in the body responsible for the transportation of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products through the blood vessels.

Sphygmomanometer

A device used to measure blood pressure by exerting pressure on the arm and measuring the sounds of blood flow.

Heart Rate (HR)

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood pumped out of the heart in one beat.

Pulse Pressure (PP)

The difference between systolic pressure and diastolic pressure.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The amount of blood pumped out of the heart in one minute.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in the arteries during one cardiac cycle.

Heart

The main organ of the cardiovascular system responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels.

Pericardium

The sac that surrounds and protects the heart.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart that receive blood.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart.

Septum

The wall of muscle that separates the left and right sides of the heart.

Valves

Structures inside the heart that prevent backflow of blood.

Superior Vena Cava

The large vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the upper parts of the body to the heart.

Inferior Vena Cava

The large vein that brings deoxygenated blood from the lower parts of the body to the heart.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where oxygen and nutrients are exchanged with tissues.

Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Blood cells that carry oxygen to the cells and contain hemoglobin.

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Blood cells that help with blood clotting.

Pulse Pressure (PP)

The difference between systolic pressure (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) - Pulse Pressure = Systolic Pressure - Diastolic Pressure (PP = SP - DP)

Heart Rate (HR)

Number of heartbeats per minute

Pericardium

The sac that contains the heart, consisting of the parietal layer (dense, fibrous connective tissue) and the visceral layer (serous membrane), which produces serous fluid to lubricate the heart and maintains a hollow space (pericardial cavity) for the heart to expand into.

Myocardium

The middle and muscular layer of the heart wall, consisting of cardiac muscle tissue, responsible for contracting and pumping blood throughout the heart.

Hematopoiesis

Process by which all blood cells are made, starting from stem cells and specializing into different types.

Atherosclerosis

The clogging of arteries due to the buildup of fats (cholesterol), narrowing the blood vessels. It is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.

Monocytes

Less common white blood cells; large cells with U-shaped nucleus.

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

The death of heart muscle due to the muscle not receiving enough oxygen, usually caused by blockage of the coronary arteries.

Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis

Clogging of arteries due to the buildup of fats (cholesterol), and narrows the blood vessels. It is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease.

What does Smoking, High Blood Cholesterol, Hypertension, Build up of plaque in the arteries cause?

Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis

Plasma

The matrix of blood

Platelets are fragments of multinucleate