MEGA ALL of A&P II UNITS

Blood

A fluid connective tissue in the cardiovascular system comprised of fluid and cells that transports nutrients and waste throughout the body.

Heart

A muscular organ of the cardiovascular system that pumps blood throughout the body and maintains blood pressure.

Blood Vessel

One of three types of tubular structures (artery, capillary, vein) that form a network for the transportation of blood throughout the body.

Whole Blood

Blood containing all of its components - plasma and formed elements.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood.

Formed Elements

The cells found in blood - red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets.

Hematopoiesis

The process of forming blood cells that occurs in the red bone marrow.

Hematocrit

The percentage of whole blood that is composed of red blood cells; normally is ~45%.

Hematology

The study of the physiology of blood.

Hemoglobin

The protein found in red blood cells (erythrocytes) that binds oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Heme

The central component of hemoglobin that contains an atom of iron and facilitates the binding of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Oxyhemoglobin

The state in which oxygen is bound to hemoglobin; blood forms a bright red color.

Deoxyhemoglobin

The state in which oxygen is not bound to hemoglobin; blood forms a dark red color.

Erythropoiesis

The process of forming erythrocytes (red blood cells).

Hemolysis

The process of breaking open aged or damaged red blood cells (erythrocytes).

Hematuria

The presence of blood in urine.

Jaundice

A yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin caused by an excessive accumulation of bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin, in the blood; indicates a liver condition.

Anemia

A condition in which the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is deficient.

Antigen

A molecule that is capable of causing an immune reaction.

Self-Antigen

A molecule that is recognized as part of the body and therefore does not cause an immune reaction.

Foreign Antigen

A molecule that is not recognized as part of the body and therefore causes an immune reaction.

A, B, Rh (antigens)

Specific proteins on the surface of red blood cells (erythrocytes) that determine blood type.

ABO Blood Type

The types of blood that can be created by the presence or absence of the A and B antigens.

Antibody

A protein produced by an immune response in response to the presence of a specific antigen; immunoglobulin.

Agglutination

The process of clumping cells by binding antibodies to their specific antigens on the cell surface.

Universal Donor

An individual with blood type O-negative that is capable of donating blood to any other blood type.

Universal Recipient

An individual with blood type AB-positive that is capable of receiving blood from any other blood type.

Leukopoiesis

The process of forming leukocytes (white blood cells).

Positive Chemotaxis

The movement of a cell towards a chemical signal.

Phagocyte

A specialized cell that uses endocytosis to engulf and digest extracellular materials such as cellular debris and pathogens.

Phagocytosis

The process of engulfing and digesting extracellular materials.

Granular Leukocyte

White blood cells (leukocytes) that have visible vesicles (granules) in the cytoplasm; neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils.

Agranular Leukocyte

White blood cells (leukocytes) that do not have visible vesicles (granules) in the cytoplasm; lymphocytes, monocytes.

Neutrophil

A granular leukocyte.

Eosinophil

A granular leukocyte.

Basophil

A granular leukocyte.

Monocyte

An agranular leukocyte.

Lymphocyte

An agranular leukocyte.

Thrombopoiesis

The process of forming thrombocytes.

Hemostasis

The process of clotting blood to prevent blood loss.

Vascular Phase

The first phase of hemostasis in which the blood vessel reduces its diameter to restrict blood loss.

Platelet Phase

The second phase of hemostasis in which platelets temporarily stick to the damaged blood vessel wall to plug the opening and restrict blood loss.

Coagulation Phase

The third phase of hemostasis in which a cascade of chemical reactions using clotting factors forms a blood clot.

Vascular Spasm

The constriction of a blood vessel in response to injury, reducing blood flow to that area.

Coagulation

The process of forming a blood clot through a cascade of chemical reactions using clotting factors.

Fibrinogen

A soluble protein found in the blood plasma that is converted to fibrin during the coagulation phase of hemostasis.

Fibrin

An insoluble protein formed from fibrinogen during the coagulation phase of hemostasis which forms a net to collect red blood cells (erythrocytes) and creates a blood clot.

Clot (Thrombus)

A mass of platelets, fibrin, and red blood cells (erythrocytes) that restrict blood loss.

Thrombocytopenia

A condition in which the platelet count is low, leading to a decreased ability to clot blood.

Thrombocytosis

A condition in which the platelet count is high, leading to an increased risk of blood clot formation.

Hemophilia

A genetic condition in which one or more clotting factors are deficient or absent, leading to impaired blood clotting.

Anti-Coagulant

A substance that inhibits the coagulation phase of hemostasis by blocking one or more clotting factors.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell (Hemocytoblast)

A stem cell that can differentiate into any of the formed elements.

Myeloid Stem Cell

A progenitor cell that is capable of differentiating into a red blood cell (erythrocyte), platelet, or any white blood cell (leukocyte) other than a lymphocyte.

Lymphoid Stem Cell

A progenitor cell that is capable of differentiating into a lymphocyte.

Lymphoid Leukemia

A blood cancer with abnormal lymphoid stem cells leading to an overproduction of lymphocytes.

Myeloid Leukemia

A blood cancer with abnormal myeloid stem cells leading to an overproduction of red blood cells (erythrocytes), platelets, and/or any white blood cell (leukocyte) other than a lymphocyte.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue in the cardiovascular system comprised of fluid and cells that transports nutrients and waste throughout the body.

Heart

A muscular organ of the cardiovascular system that pumps blood throughout the body and maintains blood pressure.

Blood Vessel

One of three types of tubular structures (artery, capillary, vein) that form a network for the transportation of blood throughout the body.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity located between the lungs that houses the heart, major blood vessels, trachea, esophagus, and other structures.

Base

The broader, superior portion of the heart, where major blood vessels enter and exit.

Apex

The pointed, inferior part of the heart, directed toward the left hip.

Pericardium

A double-layered serous membrane surrounding the heart; outer layer of the heart wall.

Parietal Pericardium

The outer layer of the pericardium, forming a protective sac around the heart.

Visceral Pericardium

The inner layer of the pericardium, directly attached to the heart's surface.

Myocardium

The middle layer of the heart wall made of cardiac muscle tissue.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the body or lungs.

Ventricle

The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the body or lungs.

Coronary Circulation

The network of blood vessels that supply the heart muscle.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

When blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked, resulting in tissue damage; commonly referred to as a heart attack.

Coronary Bypass

A surgical procedure that diverts blood around narrowed or blocked coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

Right Atrioventricular Valve

A heart valve that regulates blood flow between the right atrium and right ventricle; also referred to as the tricuspid valve.

Left Atrioventricular Valve

A heart valve that regulates blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle; also referred to as the mitral or bicuspid valve.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

A heart valve that regulates blood flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery which transports blood to the lungs.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

A heart valve that regulates blood flow between the left ventricle and the aorta which transports blood to the body.

Chordae Tendineae

Fibrous cords that anchor the atrioventricular valves to the ventricular walls, preventing the valve from opening in the opposite direction.

Regurgitation

The backward flow of blood due to a defective heart valve.

Interatrial Septum

The wall between the right and left atria of the heart.

Interventricular Septum

The wall between the right and left ventricles of the heart.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

A condition where the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, reducing the size of the internal chamber and impacting its ability to pump blood effectively.

Heart Rate (HR)

The number of heartbeats per minute.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle contracts, pumping blood.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscle relaxes and refills with blood.

S1, "Lubb"

The first heart sound, associated with the closure of the atrioventricular valves.

S2, "Dubb"

The second heart sound, associated with the closure of the semilunar valves.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

A cluster of specialized cardiac muscle cells in the posterior right atrium that serve as the natural pacemaker of the heart, initiating its electrical activity.

Internodal Pathway

Conductive pathways in the atria of the heart that transmit electrical signals from the SA node to the AV node.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A cluster of specialized cardiac muscle cells in the inferior right atrium that received electrical signals from the internodal pathways and delays their relay to the ventricles.

Atrioventricular (AV) Bundle

A conductive pathway in the superior interventricular septum that conducts the electrical signals from the AV node to the bundle branches; also known as the bundle of His.

Bundle Branches (Left & Right)

Divisions of the AV bundle that conduct electrical signals to the respective ventricles.

Purkinje Fibers

Specialized fibers that conduct electrical signals to the cardiac muscle cells of the ventricles.

Pacemaker

A medical device that regulates the heartbeat or the natural pacemaker of the heart.

P-Wave

The electrical signal representing atrial depolarization in an electrocardiogram (EKG).

QRS-Complex

The electrical signal representing ventricular depolarization and atrial repolarization in an electrocardiogram (EKG).

T-Wave

The electrical signal representing ventricular repolarization in an electrocardiogram (EKG).

Cardiac Arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythms that may involve irregular heartbeats or skipped beats.

Blood

A fluid connective tissue in the cardiovascular system comprised of fluid and cells that transports nutrients and waste throughout the body.

Heart

A muscular organ of the cardiovascular system that pumps blood throughout the body and maintains blood pressure.

Blood Vessel

One of three types of tubular structures (artery, capillary, vein) that form a network for the transportation of blood throughout the body.