Overview of the Cardiovascular System

A series of flashcards summarizing key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular System

The system that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste throughout the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients occurs.

Pulmonary Circuit

The circuit of blood flow that carries oxygen-poor blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and returns oxygen-rich blood to the left side.

Systemic Circuit

The circuit of blood flow that sends oxygen-rich blood from the left side of the heart to the body and returns oxygen-poor blood to the right side.

Epicardium

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

Myocardium

The thick muscle layer of the heart responsible for contraction.

Endocardium

The smooth inner lining of the heart chambers.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac around the heart, composed of fibrous and serous layers.

Atria

The upper chambers of the heart responsible for receiving blood.

Ventricles

The lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood out of the heart.

Valves of the Heart

Structures that prevent the backflow of blood; includes atrioventricular and semilunar valves.

Tricuspid Valve

The right atrioventricular valve that prevents backflow from the right ventricle to the right atrium.

Bicuspid Valve

The left atrioventricular valve (also known as the mitral valve) that prevents backflow from the left ventricle to the left atrium.

Systole

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood the heart pumps in a minute, calculated as heart rate times stroke volume.

Heart Rate (HR)

The number of times the heart beats per minute.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood ejected from the heart with each heartbeat.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition where the heart is unable to pump effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs or body.