Heart Physiology and Lymphatics Review

Cardiac Conduction System

The system that controls the rhythm of the heart and coordinates cardiac activity.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart over time.

Bradycardia

A slower than normal heart rate, typically under 60 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

A faster than normal heart rate, usually over 100 beats per minute.

Atrial Fibrillation

An irregular and often rapid heart rate that causes poor blood flow.

Ventricular Fibrillation

A life-threatening heart rhythm that results in a rapid, erratic heartbeat.

Auscultation

The act of listening to the sounds made by internal organs, often with a stethoscope.

Stethoscope

An instrument used by healthcare professionals to listen to internal sounds.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events that occurs in the heart during one heartbeat.

Physiological Tachycardia

A normal increase in heart rate typically due to exercise or stress.

Pathological Tachycardia

An abnormal increase in heart rate caused by disease or medical conditions.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average arterial pressure during one cardiac cycle.

Thymus

An organ where T lymphocytes mature and thymosin is produced.

Lymph Node

A small, bean-shaped structure that filters lymph and houses lymphocytes.

Spleen

An organ that filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and contributes to the immune response.

Tonsils

Lymphoid tissues located in the throat that help trap bacteria and viruses.

Peyer’s Patches

Aggregates of lymphoid tissue found in the ileum that play a role in immune surveillance.

ELISA

A laboratory technique used to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens in a sample.