Cardiovascular System: The Heart

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to the cardiovascular system and the heart, providing a study resource for understanding essential concepts.

Heart

A four-chambered muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels of the body.

Cardiac muscle

The middle layer of the heart wall, responsible for heart contractions.

Pericardium

The membrane surrounding the heart, consisting of fibrous and serous layers.

Atria

The two upper chambers of the heart where blood enters.

Ventricles

The two lower chambers of the heart that pump blood out of the heart.

Atrioventricular valves

Valves between atria and ventricles, including the tricuspid and bicuspid valves.

Semilunar valves

Valves between the ventricles and major arteries; include the pulmonary and aortic valves.

Pulmonary circulation

The pathway in which blood is pumped from the right side of the heart to the lungs.

Systemic circulation

The pathway in which blood is pumped from the left side of the heart to the rest of the body.

Autorhythmicity

The ability of cardiac muscle to initiate its own contraction without external stimuli.

Pacemaker cells

Specialized cells in the SA node that generate spontaneous action potentials.

ECG (Electrocardiogram)

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

Heart rate

The number of times the heart beats per minute.

Blood pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.

Stroke volume

The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle in one contraction.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.

Heart murmur

An abnormal heart sound often due to turbulent blood flow, such as from valve issues.

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure, which can elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Coronary artery disease

A condition caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart.

Congestive heart failure

A condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs.