Cardiovascular System Terminology and Concepts

Practice flashcards covering cardiovascular anatomy, blood circulation, pathological conditions, diagnostic procedures, and pharmacological agents.

What is systemic circulation?

The circuit of heart structures and blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the body and back to the heart.

What is coronary circulation?

A circuit of blood vessels supplying blood to and from the tissues of the heart.

What is pulmonary circulation?

The circuit of heart structures and vessels that takes blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.

How is the endocardium defined?

A smooth thin membrane that is the innermost lining/layer of the heart, which lines the atria and ventricles.

What is the myocardium?

The muscular middle layer of the heart that sustains continuous, synchronized contractions (systole) and retractions (diastole) to pump blood.

What is the epicardium?

A membrane that is the outer lining/layer of the heart, synonymous with the visceral pericardium.

What is the pericardium?

A tough, double-layered fibrous membrane (sac) around the heart that protects and anchors the heart.

What is the distinction between the parietal pericardium and the visceral pericardium?

The parietal pericardium is the outer layer of the pericardium, whereas the visceral pericardium is the inner layer that adheres tightly to the heart.

What is the function of fluid within the pericardial cavity?

It serves as a lubricant to reduce friction between the layers of the pericardium.

What separates the left and right heart chambers?

The septum, which is a strong, fibrous, muscular partition.

How do the bicuspid valve and tricuspid valve differ in location and structure?

The bicuspid (mitral) valve is a 2-cusped valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle, while the tricuspid valve is a 3-cusped valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Which valves control blood flow leaving the left and right ventricles?

The aortic valve controls blood flow from the left ventricle into the aorta, and the pulmonary valve controls blood flow from the right ventricle into the lungs.

What are the functions of the aorta and the vena cava?

The aorta is the largest artery that transports oxygenated blood out of the heart to systemic circulation, while the vena cava is the largest vein that delivers systemic deoxygenated blood into the heart.

What connects arterioles to venules?

Capillaries, which form a network called a capillary bed.

What is edema?

An excessive accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of body tissues.

What defines deoxygenated blood versus oxygenated blood?

Deoxygenated blood (venous blood) is low in oxygen after arterial circulation, whereas oxygenated blood (arterial blood) is rich in oxygen after returning from pulmonary circulation.

What structures are contained within the mediastinum?

The heart, aorta, vena cava, esophagus, and trachea.

How do vasoconstriction and vasodilation impact blood pressure?

Vasoconstriction narrows the lumen of a blood vessel to increase blood pressure, whereas vasodilation widens the lumen to decrease blood pressure.

What is the difference between systole and diastole?

Systole is the contraction phase where heart chambers contract and eject blood; diastole is the relaxation phase where chambers dilate and refill with blood.

What is normal sinus rhythm?

A normal heart rhythm originating from the sinoatrial node, which is the heart's natural pacemaker.

How is hypertension defined, and what colloquial term is used for it in local communities in Hawaii?

It is abnormally elevated arterial blood pressure, often called "high blood" in local communities in Hawaii.

What is the difference between bradycardia and tachycardia?

Bradycardia is a slower than normal resting heart rate, whereas tachycardia is a faster than normal resting heart rate.

What is asystole?

The cessation of heart contractions, resulting in no heartbeat.

What is heart block?

A disruption of electrical signals from the SA node to the Purkinje fibers that delays or blocks electrical impulses to the ventricles.

What is fibrillation?

An irregular, uncoordinated, often rapid, quivering or twitching of the heart muscle instead of fully contracting.

What is cardiac tamponade?

Compression of the heart due to an accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac.

What is cardiomegaly?

An abnormal enlargement of the heart, which is a clinical sign rather than a disease.

What is congestive heart failure (CHF)?

A progressive, chronic condition where the heart becomes too weak or stiff to pump blood effectively, causing vascular congestion that leads to edema in tissues around vessels.

What is a myocardial infarction?

A heart attack; an area of myocardial tissue death (infarct) caused by deprivation of blood supply.

What is ischemia and what can it lead to?

Insufficient flow of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues resulting from hypoperfusion, which leads to hypoxia, cellular dysfunction, damage, or necrosis.

What is shock and what are its four main classifications in the text?

Shock is systemic hypoperfusion from disrupted blood flow or low blood volume leading to inadequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to cells. The four types are cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, obstructive shock, and distributive shock.

What are the specific subtypes of distributive shock?

Anaphylactic, neurogenic, and septic shock.

What is arteriorrhexis and what commonly causes it?

The rupture of an artery, most commonly caused by an aneurysm.

How do arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis differ?

Arteriosclerosis is the thickening and hardening of arterial walls typically occurring in old age, whereas atherosclerosis is thickening and hardening specifically due to plaque buildup.

What is intermittent claudication?

Intermittent leg pain due to insufficient perfusion during activity, caused by vessel narrowing, stiffening, and plaque obstructions.

What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolus?

A thrombus is a stationary blood clot formed at its site within a blood vessel, whereas an embolus is a traveling clot that floats through blood vessels until obstructing a smaller vessel.

What causes a heart murmur?

An abnormal swooshing sound caused by turbulent backflow of blood, commonly due to incompetent heart valves or a congenital septal defect.

How do valvular prolapse and valvular stenosis differ?

Valvular prolapse occurs when a valve cusp is displaced or bulges into the atrium, while valvular stenosis is abnormal narrowing of a heart valve preventing it from fully opening.

How do an electrocardiogram, electrocardiograph, and electrocardiography differ?

An electrocardiogram is the printed or electronic record (-gram), an electrocardiograph is the recording machine (-graph), and electrocardiography is the process of recording the electrical activities of the heart (-graphy).

What is the difference between cardioversion and defibrillation?

Cardioversion delivers antiarrhythmic medication or a synchronized low-energy shock to restore a normal rhythm, whereas defibrillation delivers a high-energy unsynchronized shock to override a life-threatening arrhythmia.

What is cardiac ablation?

The use of heat or cold to scar a small area of heart tissue in order to disrupt an electrical pathway causing an arrhythmia.

How do anticoagulants, thrombolytics, and diuretics work?

Anticoagulants prevent or reduce blood clot formation by interfering with the clotting cascade; thrombolytics dissolve or break down existing blood clots; diuretics increase kidney urine production to reduce blood volume and lower blood pressure.