Cardiovascular System Functions and Heart Physiology 8

These flashcards cover the main functions of the cardiovascular system, heart physiology, and key concepts related to cardiac function, providing a comprehensive review for the exam.

What are the main functions of the cardiovascular system (CVS)?

Supply tissues with nutrients and oxygen, and carry away waste products and CO2 from tissues.

What is the role of the right side of the heart?

The right side pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What is the role of the left side of the heart?

The left side pumps oxygenated blood around the body.

What do cardiac valves prevent?

They prevent the backflow of blood.

What is the function of the Atrioventricular (A-V) valves?

They are located between the atria and ventricles, including the tricuspid valve (between RA & RV) and the bicuspid (mitral) valve (between LA & LV).

What are the types of Semilunar valves?

The pulmonary valve and the aortic valve.

What is conductivity in the context of the heart?

It is the ability to conduct an impulse from the SA node to all cardiac fibers.

What does automaticity refer to in cardiac physiology?

The ability of cardiac pacemaker cells to automatically and regularly initiate action potentials.

What is contractility of the heart?

It is the ability of cardiac muscle to contract.

What is the role of the Sinoatrial node (SA node)?

The SA node is the heart's pacemaker that sends impulses at the fastest rate to both atria causing them to contract.

What does the Atrioventricular node (AV node) do?

It slows down the electrical impulse from the atria to the ventricles.

What is the process of excitation-contraction coupling of the cardiac muscle?

It includes: 1) Action potential from the SA node, 2) Calcium influx through voltage-gated channels, 3) Stimulating efflux from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, 4) Heart contraction, 5) End of contraction, 6) Calcium reuptake, 7) Sodium-calcium exchange.

What is systole?

The contraction of the heart.

What is diastole?

The relaxation of the heart and filling of the heart.

What does the autonomic nervous system do to the heart rate?

The sympathetic system increases the heart rate while the parasympathetic system decreases it.

What is cardiac output?

The amount of blood pumped from the heart in one minute.

What factors determine cardiac output?

Cardiac output = Stroke volume x Heart rate.

What is the typical stroke volume in a healthy adult at rest?

About 70 ml.

What is the normal range for ejection fraction?

50% to 70%.

What is an ejection fraction measurement under 40% indicative of?

It may indicate heart failure or cardiomyopathy.