Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 18: Cardiovascular System

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the cardiovascular system as discussed in Chapter 18 of Anatomy & Physiology.

Blood Vessels

The delivery system that circulates blood throughout the body, consisting of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Capacitance Vessels

Veins that can stretch to accommodate varying volumes of blood and store up to 65% of the blood supply.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, measured in mm Hg.

Peripheral Resistance

The opposition to blood flow within the blood vessels, influenced by vessel diameter, length, and blood viscosity.

Systolic Pressure

The pressure in the aorta during ventricular contraction, averaging 120 mm Hg in a normal adult.

Diastolic Pressure

The lowest aortic pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.

Pulse Pressure

The difference between systolic and diastolic pressure, indicating the force that the heart generates each time it contracts.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in a person's arteries during one cardiac cycle, crucial for ensuring adequate blood flow to tissues.

Autoregulation

The intrinsic ability of tissues to regulate their own blood flow based on metabolic needs.

Net Filtration Pressure (NFP)

The balance of hydrostatic and osmotic pressures that determines the net movement of fluid across capillary walls.

Edema

An abnormal increase in the amount of interstitial fluid, often due to increased capillary hydrostatic pressure or reduced osmotic pressure.