Heart Main Points

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the structure and function of the heart, including its components, blood flow, and cardiac muscle characteristics.

Pulmonary Circuit

The right side of the heart that pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs.

Systemic Circuit

The left side of the heart that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues.

Pericardium

The double sac enclosing the heart, consisting of the fibrous and serous pericardium.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall that lines the chambers.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall responsible for contractile function.

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.

Atria

The two superior chambers of the heart that receive blood.

Ventricles

The two inferior chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart.

AV Valves

valves (tricuspid and mitral) that prevent backflow into the atria.

SL Valves

valves (pulmonary and aortic) that prevent backflow into the ventricles.

Coronary Arteries

Blood vessels that branch from the aorta and supply blood to the heart muscle.

Cardiac Veins

Veins that collect venous blood from the heart muscle and empty into the coronary sinus.

Intercalated Discs

Structures containing desmosomes and gap junctions that connect cardiac muscle cells.

Refractory Period

A prolonged period in cardiac muscle that prevents tetany, allowing the heart to relax.

Aerobic Respiration

The process used by cardiac muscle to produce ATP, relying on oxygen.