Body Structures & Functions - The Cardiovascular System

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the cardiovascular system, including terms related to heart anatomy, conditions, and functions.

aneurysm

Ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall.

angina pectoris

Chest pain that results when the heart does not get enough oxygen.

aorta

The large arterial trunk that carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body.

aortic valve

Heart valve between the left ventricle and the aorta.

apical pulse

Pulse taken with a stethoscope near the apex of the heart.

artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

asystole

The absence of a heartbeat.

atrium

Each of the two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood that comes into the heart.

brachial artery

Artery of the upper arm; the site of the pulse checked during infant CPR.

bradycardia

Slow heart rate.

capillary

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

cardiac arrest

Complete stopping of heart activity.

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency procedure consisting of external cardiac compressions and artificial ventilation.

carotid artery

Artery on each side of the neck that supplies blood to the head.

coronary artery disease (CAD)

A condition affecting arteries of the heart that reduces the flow of blood and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium, most often caused by atherosclerosis.

defibrillator

A device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore its normal rhythm.

dorsalis pedis artery

Artery supplying the foot, lateral to the large tendon of the big toe.

endocardium

Inner lining of the heart.

epicardium

Outermost layer of the heart.

erythrocytes

Red blood cells.

femoral artery

The major artery supplying the leg.

hypertension

High blood pressure.

hypotension

Low blood pressure.

leukemia

Cancer of white blood cells.

leukocytes

White blood cells.

mitral valve

Valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle; bicuspid valve.

myocardial infarction

The occlusion of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup or clot (heart attack).

myocardium

Muscular, middle layer of the heart.

pericardium

Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.

plasma

Liquid part of blood.

popliteal artery

Artery behind the knee.

posterior tibial artery

The artery just behind the medial malleolus; supplies blood to the foot.

pulmonic valve

Right semilunar valve separating the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

radial artery

The major artery in the forearm; it is palpable at the wrist on the thumb side.

septum

Divides the right and left chambers of the heart.

sickle cell anemia

A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape.

tachycardia

Fast heart rate.

thrombocytes

Platelets.

tricuspid valve

Valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle.

tunica adventitia

Outer layer of blood vessel.

tunica intima

The innermost layer of a blood vessel.

tunica media

Middle layer of artery; made up of smooth muscle fibers and thick layer of elastic connective tissue.

vein

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

ventricle

Lower chamber of the heart.

ventricular fibrillation (v-fib)

The rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles.

ventricular tachycardia (v-tach)

A very rapid heartbeat that begins within the ventricles.

Function of leukocytes

fight disease and infection

Universal blood donor

O

universal recipient

ab+

Anemia

shortage of red blood cells or hemoglobin

What are the four layers of the heart

Pericardium, Epicardium, Myocardium, Endocardium

is a protein found in red blood cells that carry the
oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Hemoglobin