Blood Circulatory System Lecture Notes

This set of 30 vocabulary flashcards covers the human circulatory system, blood vessel structures, and the internal/external anatomy of the heart based on the lecture transcript.

Circulation

The movement of blood from the heart to the body and back to the heart.

Closed circulatory system

A system where blood stays in the vessels and does not come into contact with body tissues.

Double circulatory system

A system humans possess consisting of two separate circuits: the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit.

Pulmonary circuit

The circuit where deoxygenated blood moves from the heart to the lungs and returns to the heart as oxygenated blood.

Systemic circuit

The circuit where oxygenated blood is pumped through the body and returns to the heart as deoxygenated blood.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood to the heart and contain valves to prevent backflow.

Capillaries

Small vessels that connect arteries to veins and allow substances to easily enter and leave the blood by diffusion.

Lumen

The name for the inside space of a blood vessel.

Outer connective tissue wall

A layer of the blood vessel that provides elasticity and separates blood from the rest of the body.

Smooth muscle and elastic fibres

The vessel layer that allows for contraction (vaso contriction) and relaxation (vasodilation).

Inner smooth endothelial lining

The tissues that line the inside of blood vessels to separate blood from the rest of the body.

Aorta

The main and largest artery in the body that carries oxygen-rich blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Vena cava

The largest vein in the human body, responsible for carrying oxygen-poor blood from the body to the heart.

Pulmonary artery

The exception artery that carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

The exception veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Valve

A one-way mechanical gate that opens and closes to keep blood flowing in the correct direction.

Thoracic activity

The anatomical location where the heart is situated.

Sternum

The bone located in front of the heart.

Apex

The part of the heart that points to the left and helps transport blood to all parts of the body.

Coronary arteries

Arteries that supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart muscles.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac or epithelium lining that lines the heart.

Pericardial fluid

Fluid between the two layers of the pericardium that prevents friction and allows movement as the heart beats.

Atria

The top chambers of the heart that receive blood from veins and force it into the ventricles.

Ventricles

The bottom chambers of the heart with thick muscular walls that force blood out of the heart.

Superior Vena cava

The type of vena cava located at the top of the heart.

Bicuspid (mitral) valve

The left atrioventricular valve containing two cups or flaps that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.

Septum

The structure that separates the left and right sides of the heart.

Chordae tendonae

Tendons attached to valves that prevent them from being forced inside out when blood is forced against them.

Tricuspid valve

The right atrioventricular valve consisting of three irregularly shaped cusps or flaps.