Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology – Chapter 11: The Cardiovascular System

30 fill-in-the-blank flashcards reviewing major structures, functions, and physiological concepts of the cardiovascular system from Chapter 11.

The cardiovascular system is a __ system consisting of the heart and blood vessels.

closed

The main function of the cardiovascular system is to transport oxygen, nutrients, wastes, and __ to and from cells.

hormones

The heart is located in the thoracic cavity between the lungs in the __ mediastinum.

inferior

The pointed inferior end of the heart that rests on the diaphragm is called the __.

apex

The double-walled sac that encloses the heart is the __.

pericardium

The superficial, loose portion of the pericardium is the __ pericardium.

fibrous

The layer of the serous pericardium that lies next to the heart and is also known as the epicardium is the __ pericardium.

visceral

Serous fluid is found in the space between the pericardial layers, known as the __ cavity.

pericardial

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart wall that contracts is the __.

myocardium

The heart’s superior receiving chambers are the right and left __.

atria

The heart’s inferior thick-walled pumping chambers are the right and left __.

ventricles

The __ septum separates the two atria longitudinally.

interatrial

Arteries carry blood __ the heart, whereas veins carry blood toward the heart.

away from

The right side of the heart pumps blood through the __ circuit.

pulmonary

Oxygen-rich blood returns from the lungs to the left atrium via the __ veins.

pulmonary

Blood is pumped from the left ventricle into the largest artery, the __.

aorta

The left AV (bicuspid) valve is also called the __ valve.

mitral

Chordae tendineae anchor the cusps of the __ valves to ventricular walls.

atrioventricular (AV)

During ventricular contraction, the semilunar valves are __.

open

The coronary arteries branch from the __ to supply the myocardium with oxygenated blood.

aorta

Blood from cardiac veins drains into a large vessel on the heart’s posterior surface called the __ sinus.

coronary

The intrinsic conduction (nodal) system enforces a normal resting heart rate of about __ beats per minute.

75

A heart rate over 100 beats per minute is termed __.

tachycardia

The heart sound "lub" is caused by closure of the __ valves.

atrioventricular (AV)

Cardiac output (CO) equals heart rate multiplied by __ volume.

stroke

Starling’s law states that the more cardiac muscle is __ (preload), the stronger the contraction.

stretched

Sympathetic nervous stimulation __ (speeds/slows) the heart rate.

speeds