Chapter 11: The Cardiovascular System

What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?

It is the transportation system powered by the heart that allows blood to deliver oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and removes waste to/from cells.

Where is the heart located?

It is located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs.

What is the apex and base of the heart?

The apex points left/down and the base points up/right.

What is the pericardium?

A double serous membrane.

What is the visceral covering?

The covering the lines the outer heart layer; also known as the epicardium.

What is the parietal?

The outer sac that anchors the heart.

What is pericarditis?

Inflammation of the pericardium; painful adhesions.

What is the epicardium?

The outer part of the pericardium.

What is the myocardium?

The thick muscular layer; contracts.

What is the endocardium?

The inner lining; slick surface.

What are the atra chambers?

The two receiving chambers.

What are the ventricles?

The two pumping chambers.

What is the septum?

It seperates the right and left side.

What is the interventricular septum?

The ventricles.

What is the interatrial septum?

The atrias.

What is the pulmonary circulatory pathway?

Right heart, lungs, left heart.

What is the systemic circulatory pathway?

Left heart, body, right heart.

What is the chordae tendineae?

It anchors AV valve flaps.

What role does the coronary arteries play in cardiac circulation?

It supplies the heart.

What role do the cardiac veins play in cardiac circulation?

They drain into the coronary sinus then the right atrium.

What is angina pectoris?

Temporary oxygen deprivation.

What is myocardial infarction?

A heart attack (cell death).

Describe the blood flow through the heart:

Body, super/inferior vena cava, right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, pulmonary valve, pulmonary trunk, lungs, pulmonary veins, left atrium, bicuspid valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, aorta, body.

Describe the heart conduction system:

SA node (pacemaker), AV node, AV bundle, bundle branches, Purkinje fibers.

What is systole?

Contraction.

What is diastole?

Relaxation.

What does the heart sound “lub” mean?

The AV valves closes.

What does the heart sound “dub” mean?

The semilunar valves close.

What are murmurs?

Abnormal sounds (often valve issues).

How do you calculate cardiac output?

Cardiac output is heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

What is stroke volume?

Blood pumped per beat (approximately 70 mL).

What is Starling’s law?

More stretch = stronger contraction.

How do the nervous system affect heart rate?

The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate (stress, exercise) and the parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate (rest).

What hormones increase heart rate?

Epinephrine and thyroxine.

Do electrolytes affect heart rate?

Yes, they can cause an imbalance (especially calcium and potassium) which affects heart rate.

What is congestive heart failure?

Inadequate pumping.

What is left-side heart failure?

Pulmonary congestion.

What is right-side heart failure?

Systemic congestion.

What is the function of arteries?

To carry blood away from the heart.

What is the function of veins?

To return blood to the heart.

What is the function of capillaries?

To exchange gases and nutrients.

How do arteries differ from veins and capillaries?

They have thicker walls.

What is pulse?

It is a pressure wave (70-76 bpm average).

How do you calculate blood pressure?

Systolic (during contraction)/ diastolic (during relaxation) mm Hg.

What is the normal blood pressure of an individual?

110-140/ 75-80 mm Hg

What are factors of blood pressure?

Peripheral resistance, autonomic nervous system, kidneys, temperature, diet, and chemicals.

What is hypotension?

Low blood pressure (<100 mm Hg).

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure (>140/90); chronic and can lead to heart/kidney damage.

Describe capillary exchange:

Oxygen allows nutrients to diffuse out to tissues while carbon dioxide causes waste to move into the blood.

Where does the umbilical vein lead to?

The fetus.

Where do the umbilical arteries lead to?

The placenta.

What provides the force to move blood through the body?

The beating heart.

What valve is between the right atrium and right ventricle?

The tricuspid valve.

What valve is between the left atrium and left ventricle?

The bicuspid (mitral) valve.

What is brachycardia?

A slow heart rate, under 60 beats per minutes.

What is tachycardia?

A fast heart rate, over 100 beats per minute.

How is venous blood returned to the heart?

By skeletal muscle contractions and valves preventing backflow.

What organ helps regulate blood pressure long-term?

The kidneys.

What structure allows blood to bypass fetal lungs?

Foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus.