Heart Anatomy and Function

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts on heart anatomy, function, and related cardiovascular issues.

Heart

A muscular organ located in the mediastinum that pumps blood throughout the body.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity where the heart is located.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood: right atrium and left atrium.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart responsible for pumping blood: right ventricle and left ventricle.

Pericardium

The two-layered fibrous sac surrounding the heart.

Myocardium

The muscular tissue of the heart responsible for its contractions.

Systole

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart pumps blood.

Diastole

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart fills with blood.

Atrioventricular Valve

A heart valve located between the atria and ventricles; includes tricuspid and mitral valves.

Semilunar Valve

Valves located at the exits of the ventricles that prevent backflow into the heart.

Heart Murmurs

Abnormal heart sounds often caused by defective heart valves.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Tissue death due to the blockage of blood flow to the heart, commonly known as a heart attack.

Coronary Circulation

The flow of blood to and from the tissues of the heart muscle.

Atherosclerosis

Condition characterized by the buildup of lipids on the walls of arteries, leading to narrowed arteries.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute, typically about 5 liters at rest.

Bradycardia

A slower than normal heart rate, typically defined as less than 60 beats per minute.

Tachycardia

A faster than normal heart rate, typically defined as more than 100 beats per minute.

Fibrillation

A condition where muscle fibers in the heart contract in an uncoordinated fashion, resulting in ineffective pumping.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Heart conditions caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to coronary artery blockage.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart chambers, which can lead to thrombus formation.