Bio 2 Chapter 37 Vocab

myocardium

thick middle muscular layer of the heart; pumps blood through the circulatory system

atrium

upper chamber of the heart that receives and holds blood that is about to enter the ventricle

ventricle

lower chamber of the heart that pumps blood out of the heart

pulmonary circulation

pathway of circulation between the heart and the lungs

systemic circulation

pathway of circulation between the heart and the rest of the body except the lungs

valve

flap of connective tissue between an atrium and a ventricle or in a vein that prevents of backflow of blood

pacemaker

small group of cardiac muscle cells in the right atrium that “set the pace” for the heart as a whole, also known as the sinoatrial node

aorta

large blood vessel in mammals through which bloods travels after it leaves the left ventricle

artery

large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the tissues of the body

capillary

smallest blood vessel; brings nutrients and oxygen to the tissues and absorbs carbon dioxide and waste products

vein

a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart

atherosclerosis

condition in which fatty deposits called plaque build up on the inner walls of the arteries

plasma

straw colored fluid that makes up about 55% of blood

hemoglobin

iron containing protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body

lymphocyte

type of white blood cell that produces antibodies that help destroy pathogens

platelet

cell fragment released by bone marrow that helps in blood clotting

lymph

fluid lost by the blood into surrounding tissue

pharynx

muscular tube at the end of the throat that connects the mouth to the rest of the digestive tract and serves as a passageway for air and food

trachea

windpipe; tube through which air moves

larynx

structure in the throat containing the vocal cords

bronchus

passageway leading from the trachea to the lungs

alveolus

tiny air sac at the end of a bronchiole in the lungs that provides surface area for gas exchange to occur

diaphragm

large flat muscle at the bottom of the chest cavity that helps with breathing

nicotine

stimulant drug in tobacco that increases heart rate and blood pressure

emphysema

disease in which the tissues of the lungs lose elasticity, making breathing very difficult