Heart Dissection and Cardiovascular System

Flashcards covering key concepts of heart anatomy, functions, and physiological mechanisms related to the cardiovascular system.

Aorta

A large artery emerging from the left ventricle that carries oxygenated blood to the body.

Vena cava

Large veins that return deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Valves located between the atria and ventricles; right AV valve is tricuspid, left AV valve is bicuspid (mitral).

Chordae tendineae

Cords that prevent the valve cusps from flapping into the atria during ventricular contraction.

Septum

Wall dividing the left and right sides of the heart; includes atrial septum and ventricular septum.

Pericardium

Serous sac surrounding the heart, composed of visceral and parietal layers.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall, composed primarily of cardiac muscle cells.

Endothelium

Covers the inner surface of the heart and all blood vessels, providing a slick, smooth lining.

Pulmonary artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Semilunar valves

Valves that prevent backflow of blood ejected from the ventricles, located at exits of the arteries.

Murmur

A whooshing sound associated with turbulent blood flow through a valve, could indicate issues like stenosis.

Auscultation

The act of listening to the sounds of the body, typically with a stethoscope.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

Records the electrical activity of the heart, visualized as waves on an EKG graph.

P wave

Represents atrial depolarization, indicating atrial contraction.

QRS complex

Represents ventricular depolarization, indicating ventricular contraction.

T wave

Represents ventricular repolarization.

Isometric line

The common line on an EKG where positive or negative deviations represent changes in cardiac electrical activity.

Moderator band

A muscular band of heart tissue that helps in the conduction of electrical signals within the right ventricle.

Coronary arteries

Supply the heart muscle (myocardium) with blood.

Auricle

An extension of each atrium that helps to conserve space within the heart.