Cardiovascular System: Morphological and Structural Bases

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the MORF400 lecture notes regarding the cardiovascular system, including heart layers, circulation types, conduction, and blood vessel histology.

Minor circulation

Also known as pulmonary circulation, it involves blood flow between the right ventricle, the lungs (pulmonares), and the left atrium.

Major circulation

Also known as systemic circulation, it involves blood flow between the left ventricle, the aorta, the body tissues, and the right atrium via the vena cava.

Endocardium

The innermost layer of the heart wall, consisting of the endothelium, sub-endothelium, and sub-endocardium.

Myocardium

The thick middle layer of the heart composed of cardiac muscle tissue.

Epicardium

The outer layer of the heart wall, also known as the visceral layer of the pericardium, composed of mesothelium and sub-epicardium.

Pericardium

A fibroserous sac surrounding the heart, consisting of a fibrous pericardium, a parietal layer, and a visceral layer (epicardium) separated by the pericardial cavity.

Cardiac conduction system

A system of specialized muscle fibers that regulate the contraction of the atria (aurículas) and ventricles in an objective sequence.

Nódulo sinusal

A component of the conduction system formed by nodal cells that initiates the electrical impulse.

Fibras de Purkinge

Specialized fibers within the heart's conduction system responsible for spreading electrical impulses to the ventricular myocardium.

Coronary arteries

Elastic arteries that provide irrigation to the heart; occlusion of these vessels can lead to necrosis and connective tissue scarring.

Tunica intima

The innermost layer of a blood vessel, composed of endothelium and a fine layer of subendothelial connective tissue.

Tunica media

The middle layer of blood vessels, consisting of smooth muscle cells (células musculares lisas) within a connective tissue matrix.

Tunica adventicia

The outermost layer of a blood vessel, primarily composed of connective tissue.

Arterias elásticas

Large caliber (gran calibre) arteries, such as the aorta, characterized by a prominent tunica media with many elastic fibers.

Arterioles

Small caliber (pequeño calibre) arteries that regulate blood flow into capillary beds.

Vasa vasorum

Small blood vessels located within the walls of larger vessels to provide them with nourishment.

Capilar continuo

A type of capillary found in muscle, brain, and connective tissue where the endothelium forms a thin, uninterrupted layer.

Capilar fenestrado

A capillary featuring fenestrations closed by a diaphragm, found in the digestive tract, renal capillaries, and endocrine glands.

Sinusoide

A type of capillary with a twisted, sinuous course and less continuous walls, found in the liver (hígado), spleen (bazo), bone marrow, and adrenal glands.