Cardiovascular System

serous membrane

membrane lining the cavity of the heart

vein

carries blood to the heart

artery

carries blood away from the heart

capillaries

space were gasses, nutrients, and oxygen transmit

valve function

to prevent backflow of blood through the heart

chordae tendineae

fibrous chords that connect papillary muscles to valves

papillary muscles function

keeps mitral and tricuspid valves from opening during contraction (systole)

ventricular systole

contraction of the heart muscle, blood pushing against artery walls

ventricular diastole

relaxation of the heart muscle

intercalated discs

property of cardiac muscle tissue that allows cardiac cells to contract at the same time.

SA Node

node that initiates as heartbeat