Cardiac Vocab

Aortic Valve

Valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Atrioventricular Valves

Valves that include the tricuspid and mitral valves.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of heart sounds S1, S2, S1 indicating systole and diastole.

Dependent Edema

Collection of fluid in a part of the body lower than the heart.

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

Artery located on the top of the foot.

Femoral Artery

Located in the groin on the right and left side; terminates as the popliteal artery.

Homan's Sign

Pain in the calf when the foot is passively dorsiflexed.

Midclavicular Line

Imaginary line of the body bisecting the clavicle.

Mitral Valve

Valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle.

PMI (Point of Maximum Impulse)

Apical impulse, found at 5th intercostal space left midclavicular line in adults, and 4th intercostal space left midclavicular line in children.

Popliteal Artery

Artery located in the posterior knee fossa.

Posterior Tibial Artery

Artery located medially behind the tibial bone and malleolus.

Precordium

The entire anterior chest where the heart lies in the thorax.

Pulmonic Valve

Valve located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

S1 (First Heart Sound)

Sound made by the closing of the mitral and tricuspid valves.

S2 (Second Heart Sound)

Sound made by the closing of the aortic and pulmonic valves.

Semilunar Valves

Valves that include the aortic and pulmonic valves.

Sternum

The breast bone.

Systole

The working stage of the cardiac cycle.

Temporal Artery

Artery located at the sides of the skull over the temporal bone.

Thrill

Vibration of the heart that is fine and palpable.

Thrust (Heave, Lift)

Sensation of the heart lifting.

Tricuspid Valve

Valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Ulnar Artery

Artery located at the 5th digit side.

Ventricle

The lower chambers of the heart.

Hypotension

Low blood pressure that may fail to adequately perfuse organ systems.

Hypertension

Blood pressure reading defined as $\text{BP} > 130/80\,\text{mmHg}$.

Murmurs

Blowing sounds caused by turbulence in blood flow through the heart.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Blockage of arterial blood flow causing tissue damage to the heart muscle.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestion in pulmonary or systemic circulation related to inadequate cardiac pumping.

Thrombus

A blood clot formed within the vascular system.

Fluid Volume Deficit (Hypovolemia)

Isotonic fluid loss causing the fluid to become hypertonic, drawing fluid from cells into the interstitial space and depleting cellular function.

Fluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia)

An excess of isotonic fluid, commonly resulting from kidney malfunction or ineffective heart pumping, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs and dependent body parts.