Introduction to the Cardiovascular System

Comprehensive vocabulary cards covering the anatomy, physiology, and common disorders of the heart and cardiovascular system as described in the lecture.

Cardiovascular system

A system consisting of the heart and blood vessels that work together to pump blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells and eliminate wastes.

Heart

A cone-shaped organ, approximately the size of a loose fist, located in the central part of the chest slightly left of the midline (sternum) that functions as a pump.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart that lines the atria and ventricles.

Myocardium

The middle, muscular layer of the heart that contains the heart muscle.

Pericardium

The outermost layer of the heart, consisting of two thin fibrous protective layers that contain fluid to protect the heart from friction.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart.

Tricuspid Valve

The AV valve located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve

The AV valve located between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

Semilunar valves

The valves located between the ventricles and the arteries, specifically the pulmonary and aortic valves.

Artery/Arteriole

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.

Aorta

The largest artery that leaves the heart to send oxygenated blood to the body.

Vein/Venule

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.

Superior vena cava

The vein that brings blood from the head and arms to the heart.

Inferior vena cava

The vein that brings blood from the abdomen and legs into the heart.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels that connect arteries to veins and aid in the exchange of oxygen and nutrients between blood and cells.

Heart rate

The number of times the heart beats per minute; at rest, a steady rate is typically $60-100$ beats per minute.

Heart rhythm

The synchronized pumping action of the four heart chambers.

SA node

Known as the pacemaker of the heart, it sends out the initial electrical impulse to start the cardiac cycle.

AV node

Releases an impulse into the ventricles through the Bundle of His after receiving a signal from the SA node.

Purkinje fibers

Fibers located in the lateral walls of the ventricles that cause the ventricles to contract when they receive an electrical impulse.

Cardiac cycle

The sequence of events representing one heartbeat.

Blood Pressure

The force blood exerts on the inner walls of blood vessels, which is highest in arteries and lowest in veins.

Systolic pressure

The blood pressure in the arteries when it is at its greatest point, occurring during systole when the ventricles contract.

Diastolic pressure

The blood pressure in the arteries when it is at its lowest point, occurring during diastole when the ventricles relax.

Blood viscosity

The thickness of the blood, which is one of the factors affecting blood pressure.

Angina

Chest pain caused by cardiac issues, such as the narrowing of coronary arteries.

Atherosclerosis

The deposition of plaques of fatty material on the inner walls of the arteries.

Myocardial infarction

Commonly known as a heart attack, it is caused by a coronary artery blockage or blood clot.

Ischemia

The restriction of the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, often caused by narrowing of the arteries; risk factors include obesity, smoking, and kidney disease.

Aneurysm

A bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery.

Congestive heart failure

A condition where the heart does not pump blood as efficiently as it should.

Thrombophlebitis

A condition where a blood clot forms and blocks veins, usually in the legs.

Mitral valve prolapse

A condition where the mitral valve does not close smoothly or evenly, causing the backflow of blood.