The+Cardiovascular+System+Notes

Circulatory or Cardiovascular System

Consists of heart, blood vessels, and blood; responsible for transporting blood to and from all cells in the body.

Heart

A double muscular pump that generates pressure to move blood throughout the body.

Blood Vessels

Tubes that transport blood, hormones, nutrients, and other substances in and out of body cells.

Arteries

Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to tissue cells; except for pulmonary arteries which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Capillaries

Connect arteries and veins, allowing the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and other substances with tissue cells.

Veins

Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart; except for pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Heart Chambers

The heart is composed of four chambers: two atria and two ventricles for managing deoxygenated and oxygenated blood.

Atrioventricular Valve (AV Valve)

One-way valve that separates the atrium and ventricle; includes mitral and tricuspid valves.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood ejected each time the heart contracts.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood ejected by the heart in one minute.

Pulmonary Circuit

Transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Systemic Circuit

Transports oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Capillary Sphincters

Rings of smooth muscle that regulate blood flow into capillaries.

Bradycardia

A resting cardiac rate that is slower than normal.

Tachycardia

An abnormally fast heart rate above 100 beats per minute.

Aneurysm

A bulging of an artery wall due to weakness, which can rupture causing fatal blood loss.

Hemopoiesis

The process of blood cell production within red bone marrow.

Albumin

The most abundant plasma protein, important for maintaining blood volume.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells primarily responsible for transporting oxygen.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that play a major role in the immune response.

Thrombocytes

Platelets that are essential for blood clotting.

Cardiac Conduction System

A system of specialized heart muscle cells that generate electrical impulses to stimulate heart contraction.

Medulla Oblongata

The brain center that monitors blood pressure and regulates heart activity.

Vasodilation

The relaxation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

Vasoconstriction

The contraction of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.

Phagocytosis

The process by which certain cells specialize in engulfing and destroying pathogens.

Immunization/Vaccination

The process of becoming immune to a disease, typically through exposure to a vaccine.