Cardiovascular System Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on the cardiovascular system, including blood components, white blood cells, platelets, and heart anatomy.

Granulocytes

White blood cells with granules in their cytoplasm and lobed nuclei.

Neutrophils

A type of granulocyte that kills bacteria and has a lilac-colored cytoplasm.

Defensins

Antibiotic-like proteins found in neutrophils.

Eosinophils

Acid-loving granulocytes that target parasitic worms and lessen the severity of allergies.

Basophils

Basic-loving granulocytes that release histamine and are functionally similar to mast cells.

Histamine

A chemical involved in inflammatory responses; antihistamines counteract its effects.

Mast Cells

Found in loose areolar connective tissue and play a role in inducing the inflammatory cascade.

Agranulocytes

White blood cells without granules in their cytoplasm.

Monocytes

A type of agranulocyte that is the largest white blood cell and can transform into a macrophage.

Macrophages

Highly mobile cells that engulf other cells or debris.

Lymphocytes

A type of agranulocyte involved in the immune response; includes T cells and B cells.

B cells

Lymphocytes that produce antibodies.

Platelets

Fragments of cells that are important in the blood clotting process; also known as thrombocytes.

Megakaryocytes

Large cells in bone marrow that break apart to form platelets.

Hematopoiesis

The process by which blood cells are formed in red marrow.

Hemocytoblasts

Pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells that differentiate into various types of blood cells.

Lymphoid Stem Cells

Stem cells that give rise to lymphocytes.

Myeloid Stem Cells

Stem cells that give rise to red blood cells, platelets, and most types of white blood cells.

Polycythemia

Abnormal excess of erythrocytes.

Anemia

Blood disorder where erythrocyte levels or hemoglobin concentrations are low.

Sickle Cell Anemia/Disease

Genetic disorder where erythrocytes are shaped like a sickle due to a defective hemoglobin molecule.

Leukemia

A form of cancer where there are an excessive number of white blood cells.

Thrombocytopenia

A low number of platelets, leading to diminished clot formation and internal bleeding.

Blood Pressure

The force of blood pushing against the inside walls of blood vessels.

Arteries

Carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Carry blood towards the heart.

Great Vessels

Largest-diameter veins and arteries close to the heart.

Atria

Receiving chambers of the heart.

Ventricles

Pumping chambers of the heart.

Epicardium

Outer layer of the heart wall (also the visceral layer of the serous pericardium).

Myocardium

The thickest, muscular layer of the heart wall responsible for contraction.

Endocardium

Innermost layer of the heart wall.

Muscular Bundles

Spiral and circular arrangements of cardiac muscle that facilitate efficient blood ejection.

Septa

Divisions between the chambers of the heart.

Sulci

Grooves on the external surface of the heart that contain blood vessels.

Auricles

Ear-like extensions of the atria.

Crista Terminalis

Horizontal landmark on the internal surface of the right atrium that marks the division between the smooth wall and the anterior wall in the right atrium.

Fossa Ovalis

Remnant of an opening in the fetal heart between the two atria.

Trabeculae Carneae

Irregular ridges of muscle on the inner surface of the ventricles.

Papillary Muscles

Cone-shaped muscle projections in the ventricles that anchor the chordae tendineae.

Chordae Tendineae

Collagen strings that attach the cusps of the atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles.

Tricuspid Valve

Right atrioventricular valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral Valve

Either Bicuspid Valve or Left Atrioventricular Valve between that left atrium and left ventricle.

Semilunar Valves

Valves that regulate blood flow out of the ventricles.

Lub

The closing of the AV valves.

Dup

The closing of the semilunar valves.

Systole

Contraction of a heart chamber.

Diastole

Relaxation of a heart chamber.