Cardiovascular System

aneurysm-

ballooning of a weakened portion of an arterial wall

vascul-

vessel

aort-

aorta

arteri-

artery

arteriol-

arteriole (small artery)

atri-

atrium, upper heart chamber

ather-

fatty deposit

electro-

electricity

embol-

plug, embolus

hemangi-

blood vessel

phleb-

vein

ven-

vein

scler-

hardening

sept-

septum

sten-

narrowing

thromb-

blood clot

ventricul-

ventricle (of heart or brain)

-gram

record, writing

-graphy

process of recording

-graph

instrument for recording

-stenosis

narrowing

brady-

abnormally slow

endo-

inside

peri-

around

tachy-

rapid

trans-

across

coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

surgical technique to bring a new blood supply to heart muscle by detouring around blocked arteries

thrombus

stationary blood clot

regurgitation

backward flowing, as in the return of solids or fluids to the mouth from the stomach

MRI

a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; allows us to see structures within the body

tricuspid valve

valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle

hemostasis

to stop or control bleeding

Antriventricular (AV) Node

electrical message continues from the SA node to the AV node-atriums contract and message is sent to the Bundle of His

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

balloon is passed through a small incision in the skin and into a diseased blood vessel

pulmonary artery

artery carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs

patent

to open

lumen

space within a tubular part or organ, such as the space within a blood vessel

myocardium

muscular, middle layer of the heart

arterioles

smallest arteries

electrocardiogram

record of the electrical activity of the heart

vein

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

infarction

area of dead tissue

cardioversion

returning a heart to normal rhythm

Bundle of His

a bundle of modified heart muscle that transmits the cardiac impulse from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles causing them to contract

aortic valve

heart valve between the left ventricle and the aorta

hyperlipidemia

excessive fat in the blood

ductus venosus

duct that takes blood from the fetus's liver to the inferior vena cava

catheter

tube for injecting or removing fluids

endocardium

inner lining of the heart

cardiac arrest

complete stopping of heart activity

capillaries

Smallest blood vessels

umbilical arteries

carry blood from fetus to placenta

sinoatrial (SA) node

pacemaker of the heart

pericardiocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid from the sac surrounding the heart

ductus arteriosus

duct that connects the pulmonary artery with the aorta to allow blood to bypass the fetal lungs

prophylaxis

prevention

ACE inhibitors

medication that decreases blood pressure

thrombolysis

destruction of a blood clot

coarctation

narrowing of a vessel, especially the aorta

foramen ovale

hole in the interatrial septum of the fetus's heart which allows blood to bypass the fetal lungs

venules

small veins

phlebotomy

incision of a vein

pulmonary valve

valve positioned between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery

endarterectomy

surgical removal of plaque from the inner layer of an artery

coronary arteries

blood vessels that branch from the aorta and carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle

Purkinje fibers

fibers in the ventricles that transmit impulses to the right and left ventricles, causing them to contract

arrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm

angina

chest pain

mitral (bicuspid) valve

valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle.

hypotension

low blood pressure

ventricles

Lower chambers of the heart

pulmonary veins

Deliver oxygen rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium

edema

swelling

valves

prevent back flow of blood

echocardiography

ultrasound visual recording of heart function and structural defects.

artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

epicardium

outer layer of the heart

palpitation

pounding or racing heart

atherosclerosis

hardening of the arteries

calcium channel blockers

drugs that block the movement of calcium in and out of the SA node to cause the heart to beat with less force

hypertension

high blood pressure

beta blockers

medications that decrease heart rate and dilate arteries preventing angina

atrium

upper chamber of the heart

coronary veins

Blood vessels that transport deoxygenated blood from the heart toward the right atrium.

occlusion

closure of a blood vessel due to blockage

antiarrhythmics

drug used to treat rhythm abnormalities

umbilical vein

carries oxygenated blood from placenta to fetus

aortography

radiologic examination of the aorta and it's branches

ischemia

localized area of oxygen deprivation to a tissue

mitral valve prolapse

improper closure of the mitral valve

stent

hollow, mesh tube placed to hold an artery open

superior/inferior vena cava

deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through these vessels

fibrillation

quivering muscle contractions

anuerysm

the ballooning out of an artery wall at a point where it has grown weak

diurectics

medications to increase the excretion of water through the kidneys

embolus

moving clot

epi-

upon

Pericardium

Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.

epicardium, myocardium, endocardium

3 layers of the heart wall

cardiac catheterization

a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart