Cardiovascular & Upper Respiratory Anatomy – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering major anatomical structures and physiological concepts from the lecture on heart chambers, valves, vessels, conduction system, coronary and fetal circulation, and upper respiratory anatomy.

Atria (plural of Atrium)

The heart’s superior receiving chambers; include right and left atria.

Ventricles

The heart’s inferior discharging chambers; include right and left ventricles.

Right Atrium

Receives de-oxygenated blood from the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.

Left Atrium

Receives oxygenated blood returning from the lungs via the four pulmonary veins.

Superior Vena Cava (SVC)

Great vessel that returns de-oxygenated blood from the head, neck and upper limbs to the right atrium.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)

Great vessel that returns de-oxygenated blood from structures inferior to the diaphragm to the right atrium.

Coronary Sinus

Large venous channel on the heart’s posterior surface that drains cardiac veins into the right atrium.

Pulmonary Veins

Four veins (two from each lung) that deliver oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Tricuspid Valve

Right atrioventricular (AV) valve composed of three cusps; separates right atrium from right ventricle.

Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve

Left AV valve with two cusps; separates left atrium from left ventricle.

Papillary Muscles

Cone-shaped ventricular muscles that anchor chordae tendineae and prevent AV valve prolapse.

Chordae Tendineae

Tendinous “heart strings” connecting papillary muscles to AV valve cusps.

Trabeculae Carneae

Ridge-like muscular folds lining ventricular walls; absent in atria.

Pectinate Muscles

Comb-like muscular ridges in atrial walls, most prominent in the right auricle.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

Valve between right ventricle and pulmonary trunk; prevents back-flow into ventricle.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

Valve between left ventricle and aorta; prevents back-flow into ventricle.

Myocardium

Thick middle cardiac muscle layer; thickest in the left ventricle.

Endocardium

Thin inner heart layer lining chambers and valves; contacts the blood.

Epicardium

Outermost heart layer; visceral layer of the pericardium that houses coronary vessels.

Great Vessels

Collective term for the aorta, pulmonary trunk, superior vena cava, and inferior vena cava.

Pulmonary Trunk

Large artery exiting right ventricle; splits into right and left pulmonary arteries carrying de-oxygenated blood.

Pulmonary Arteries

Branches of pulmonary trunk transporting de-oxygenated blood to the lungs.

Lub (S1)

First heart sound produced by simultaneous closure of the tricuspid and bicuspid (AV) valves.

Dub (S2)

Second heart sound produced by simultaneous closure of the aortic and pulmonary semilunar valves.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

Pacemaker of the heart located in the right atrium; initiates electrical impulses.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

Receives impulses from SA node; gateway to ventricles.

Bundle of His

Conductive fibers in the interventricular septum transmitting impulses from AV node to bundle branches.

Right & Left Bundle Branches

Pathways in septum carrying impulses to respective ventricles.

Purkinje Fibers

Terminal conductive fibers distributing impulses through ventricular myocardium.

Sympathetic Innervation (Heart)

Fight-or-flight input that increases heart rate and force of contraction.

Parasympathetic Innervation (Heart)

Rest-and-digest input (via vagus nerve) that decreases heart rate.

Right Coronary Artery (RCA)

Branch of aorta supplying right atrium/ventricle; gives off right marginal and posterior interventricular arteries.

Left Coronary Artery (LCA)

Branches into anterior interventricular (LAD) and circumflex arteries to supply left heart.

Anterior Interventricular Artery (LAD)

LCA branch descending in anterior interventricular groove; nicknamed “widow-maker.”

Circumflex Artery

LCA branch that wraps around left heart to posterior surface.

Right Marginal Artery

RCA branch running along inferior margin of right ventricle.

Posterior Interventricular Artery

RCA branch descending in posterior interventricular groove.

Great Cardiac Vein

Principal vein running with LAD; drains into coronary sinus.

Middle Cardiac Vein

Vein in posterior interventricular groove; drains into coronary sinus.

Small Cardiac Vein

Vein along right heart margin; drains into coronary sinus.

Umbilical Vein

Fetal vessel carrying oxygenated blood from placenta to fetus; remnant = ligamentum teres hepatis.

Umbilical Arteries

Fetal paired vessels returning de-oxygenated blood to placenta; remnants = medial umbilical ligaments.

Ductus Venosus

Fetal shunt from umbilical vein to IVC bypassing liver; remnant = ligamentum venosum.

Foramen Ovale

Fetal interatrial opening that bypasses lungs; adult remnant = fossa ovalis.

Ductus Arteriosus

Fetal shunt between pulmonary trunk and aorta; adult remnant = ligamentum arteriosum.

Conducting Division (Respiratory)

Air-transport passageways from nasal cavity to terminal bronchioles; no gas exchange.

Terminal Bronchioles

Distal end of conducting division; smallest purely conducting airways.

Respiratory Division

Microscopic portion (respiratory bronchioles → alveoli) where gas exchange occurs.

Respiratory Bronchioles

First airways capable of gas exchange; begin respiratory division.

Alveolar Ducts

Small passages connecting respiratory bronchioles to alveolar sacs.

Alveolar Sacs

Clusters of alveoli sharing a common opening.

Alveoli

Tiny air-filled sacs where O₂/CO₂ diffusion with capillary blood occurs.

Nasal Conchae (Turbinates)

Superior, middle, and inferior bony shelves that swirl, warm, moisten, and filter inhaled air.

Nasal Meatuses

Passageways beneath each concha that receive openings of paranasal sinuses and nasolacrimal duct.

Pharynx

Muscular tube shared by digestive and respiratory tracts; divided into naso-, oro-, and laryngopharynx.

Nasopharynx

Upper pharynx behind nasal cavity; conveys only air and houses pharyngeal tonsil.

Oropharynx

Middle pharynx behind oral cavity; conveys air, food, and fluids; contains palatine & lingual tonsils.

Laryngopharynx

Lower pharynx extending to larynx/esophagus junction; conveys air, food, and fluids.

Eustachian (Auditory) Tube

Passage linking nasopharynx to middle ear cavity; equalizes pressure.

Pharyngeal Tonsil (Adenoid)

Lymphoid tissue in nasopharynx; enlarged form called adenoids.

Palatine Tonsils

Paired lymphoid masses in oropharynx visible at back of throat.

Lingual Tonsil

Lymphoid tissue on posterior tongue base in oropharynx.

Larynx

Voice box; airway between pharynx and trachea containing vocal folds.

Thyroid Cartilage

Largest laryngeal cartilage forming Adam’s apple (laryngeal prominence).

Epiglottis

Elastic cartilage flap that folds over laryngeal inlet during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Cricoid Cartilage

Ring-shaped laryngeal cartilage inferior to thyroid cartilage; forms complete ring.

Arytenoid Cartilages

Paired pyramid-shaped cartilages anchoring vocal cords and permitting pitch modulation.

True Vocal Folds

Inferior vocal cords responsible for phonation; contain vocal ligament and muscle.

False Vocal Folds

Superior vestibular folds that do not produce sound; aid in resonance/protection.

Aorta

Largest artery; carries oxygenated blood from left ventricle to systemic circulation.

Pulmonary Circuit

Right-sided heart pathway sending de-oxygenated blood to lungs for oxygenation.

Systemic Circuit

Left-sided heart pathway sending oxygenated blood throughout the body.

Heart Prolapse (Valve)

Backward bulging of an AV valve prevented by papillary muscles and chordae tendineae.

Widow-Maker

Clinical nickname for occlusion of the anterior interventricular (LAD) artery due to high mortality risk.

Lub-Dub Cycle

Two sounds of each heartbeat representing AV closure (lub) and semilunar closure (dub).

Autonomic Nervous System (Heart)

Unconscious sympathetic and parasympathetic control regulating heart rate and force.

Ligamentum Arteriosum

Fibrous remnant of fetal ductus arteriosus connecting pulmonary trunk to aorta.

Ligamentum Venosum

Fibrous remnant of fetal ductus venosus on inferior liver surface.

Ligamentum Teres (Round Ligament of Liver)

Remnant of fetal umbilical vein within the falciform ligament of liver.