The Pulmonary and Systemic Circuits

These flashcards encompass key terms and definitions related to the anatomy and function of the heart and circulatory systems.

Pulmonary circuit

The pathway through which oxygen-poor blood is pumped from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the left side of the heart.

Systemic circuit

The pathway through which oxygenated blood is pumped from the left side of the heart to body tissues and back to the right side of the heart.

Right atrium

The chamber of the heart that receives oxygen-poor blood from the systemic circuit.

Left atrium

The chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circuit.

Right ventricle

The heart chamber that pumps oxygen-poor blood through the pulmonary circuit to the lungs.

Left ventricle

The heart chamber that pumps oxygenated blood through the systemic circuit to the body.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac that surrounds the heart, consisting of a superficial fibrous pericardium and a deep two-layered serous pericardium.

Epicardium

The visceral layer of the serous pericardium, which is the outer layer of the heart wall.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall that lines the heart chambers.

Myocardium

The middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle tissue responsible for the contraction of the heart.

Semilunar valves

Valves that prevent backflow into the ventricles when they relax.

Atrioventricular valves (AV valves)

Valves that prevent backflow into the atria when the ventricles contract.

Chordae tendineae

Fibrous cords that anchor the cusps of the atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles.

Apical impulse

The point of maximal impulse felt on the chest wall, over the left ventricle.

Fossa ovalis

A remnant of the foramen ovale in the fetal heart that separates the right and left atria.

Cardiac tamponade

A condition where excess fluid in the pericardial cavity exerts pressure on the heart, limiting its pumping ability.

Coronary circulation

The functional blood supply to the heart muscle itself.

Interventricular septum

The wall that separates the left and right ventricles.

Mediastinum

The region in the thorax that contains the heart and other structures.