The Cardiovascular System

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, vessels, heart chambers, and functional notes from the cardiovascular system notes.

Brachiocephalic artery

A major branch of the aortic arch that supplies the right side of the head, neck, and right upper limb.

Superior vena cava

A large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Right pulmonary artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Ascending aorta

The section of the aorta that rises from the heart and distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Pulmonary trunk

The vessel that exits the heart and divides into the left and right pulmonary arteries to the lungs.

Right pulmonary veins

Return oxygenated blood from the right lung to the left atrium.

Right atrium

Chamber that receives deoxygenated blood from the body via the superior and inferior vena cavae.

Right coronary artery (in right atrioventricular groove)

Supplies the right atrium and right ventricle; located in the right AV groove.

Anterior cardiac vein

Drains blood from the anterior surface of the heart directly into the right atrium.

Right ventricle

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the pulmonary trunk and lungs for oxygenation.

Marginal artery

A surface artery supplying the margin of the right ventricle.

Small cardiac vein

Drains the heart’s surface into the coronary sinus.

Inferior vena cava

Carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Left common carotid artery

Artery supplying the left side of the head and neck.

Left subclavian artery

Artery supplying the left upper limb.

Aortic arch

Curved part of the aorta giving rise to major arteries to the head, neck, and arms.

Ligamentum arteriosum

Fibrous remnant that connects the left pulmonary artery to the aorta.

Left pulmonary artery

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Left pulmonary veins

Return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Left atrium

Chamber that receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Auricle

Atrial appendage; the small, ear-like extension of the atrium.

Circumflex artery

Branch of the left coronary artery in the left AV groove supplying the left atrium and ventricle.

Left coronary artery (in left atrioventricular groove)

Supplies the left atrium and left ventricle; runs in the left AV groove.

Left ventricle

Pumps oxygenated blood to the body via the aorta.

Great cardiac vein

Drains the anterior surface of the heart into the coronary sinus.

Anterior interventricular artery

Also known as the left anterior descending (LAD); runs in the anterior interventricular groove.

Apex

The pointed tip of the heart.

Right side of the heart (blue) handles oxygen-poor blood

The right heart chambers handle deoxygenated blood from the body.

Left side of the heart (red) handles oxygen-rich blood

The left heart chambers handle oxygenated blood from the lungs.

Right atrium main part

Gets used blood from the body.

Right ventricle main part

Sends that blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen.

Left atrium main part

Gets oxygen-filled blood from the lungs.

Left ventricle main part

Pumps fresh blood to the whole body.