The Heart, Vascular System, and Blood Flow Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering cardiovascular anatomy, physiology, clinical definitions, and medical root words based on the lecture notes.

Mediastinum

The location between the lungs where the heart is situated.

Heart Dimensions

The heart is approximately $5$ inches long and $3.5$ inches wide.

Heart Weight

The heart weighs between $7$ to $15$ $oz$ ($200$ to $425$ $g$).

Daily Heart Beats

The heart beats an average of $100,000$ times per day.

Lifetime Heart Beats

The heart beats approximately $3.5$ billion times in an average lifetime.

Superior Vena Cava

One of the major vessels through which deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium from the upper body.

Inferior Vena Cava

One of the major vessels through which deoxygenated blood returns to the right atrium from the lower body.

Visceral Layer (Epicardium)

The inner layer of the protective pericardium surrounding the heart.

Parietal Layer

The outer layer of the protective pericardium.

Pericardial Serous Fluid

The fluid located between the pericardial layers, typically measuring $10$ to $30$ $ml$.

Cardiac Septum

The structure that separates the four chambers of the heart.

Atrioventricular Valves

A set of valves consisting of the Tricuspid Valve (right side) and the Mitral Valve (left side).

Semi-Lunar Valves

A set of valves consisting of the Pulmonary Valve and the Aortic Valve, characterized by $3$ moon-shaped cusps.

Chordae Tendonae

The structures that anchor the leaflets of the heart valves.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The heart's primary intrinsic pacemaker where electrical impulses begin.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

The structure that receives electrical impulses from the SA Node.

Automaticity

The heart's ability to generate electrical impulses independently.

Diastole

The relaxation and filling phase of the cardiac cycle.

Systole

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle.

Arteries

Thick, elastic-walled vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, with the exception of the pulmonary artery.

Capillaries

Thin-walled and highly permeable vessels where blood exchange occurs, containing approximately $5\%$ of total blood volume.

Veins

Pliable vessels containing valves to prevent backflow that carry oxygen-depleted blood toward the heart, with the exception of the pulmonary vein.

Acute Coronary Syndrome

A condition characterized by severe cardiac ischemia.

Acute Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial cell necrosis (death) occurring due to a lack of blood and oxygen.

Aneurysm

A localized dilation of a blood vessel.

Angina Pectoris

Chest pain resulting from a temporary imbalance between myocardial blood supply and demand.

Arteriosclerosis

A disorder marked by thickening, loss of elasticity, and calcification of arterial walls.

Atherosclerosis

A disease involving lesions called atheromas or plaques within the lining of medium and large arteries.

Bruit

A harsh or musical sound heard on auscultation of a blood vessel, also known as a murmur.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped from the ventricles in $1$ minute.

Cardiac Tamponade

Compression of the heart caused by an accumulation of blood or fluid in the pericardial sac.

Cardioversion

The restoration of normal sinus rhythm (NSR) using medication or a synchronized shock.

Inotropic

A term used to describe strengthening the contraction of the heart.

Intermittent Claudication

Cramping or aching in the lower extremities during activity that is relieved by rest.

Stenosis

A narrowing of a valve opening that obstructs the forward flow of blood.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood ejected from the heart with each individual contraction.

Hypertension

A blood pressure measurement higher than $140$ $mmHg$ systolic or $90$ $mmHg$ diastolic on three separate readings several weeks apart.

Bradycardia

A slower-than-normal heart rate, usually fewer than $60$ beats per minute for an adult.

Tachycardia

A faster-than-normal heart rate, usually exceeding $100$ beats per minute.

Angi/Angio

A medical root word pertaining to a blood vessel.

Aort/Aorto

A medical root word pertaining to the aorta.

Ather/Athero

A medical root word pertaining to a fatty substance.

Phlebo

A medical root word relating to the veins.

Sphygm/Sphygmogram

A medical root word pertaining to the pulse.

Vel/Velocimetric

A medical root word pertaining to speed or rate.

Mitral Valve Stenosis

A narrowing of the mitral valve that affects blood flow.

Myocardial Necrosis

Death of heart muscle tissue, often due to a lack of blood flow.