Cardiovascular System Anatomy and Physiology

Vocabulary practice cards reviewing heart anatomy, chambers, valves, coronary and systemic vessels, and cardiovascular physiology principles.

Pericardium

The protective membrane sac enclosing the heart and the roots of its great vessels.

Atria

The right and left superior receiving chambers of the heart that pump blood into the ventricles upon contraction.

Ventricles

The right and left inferior pumping chambers of the heart that eject blood into the pulmonary trunk and aorta.

Tricuspid valve

The right atrioventricular valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral (bicuspid) valve

The left atrioventricular valve located between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Pulmonary valve

The semilunar valve situated between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk.

Aortic valve

The semilunar valve situated between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Interventricular septum

The internal muscular wall separating the right and left ventricles of the heart.

Chordae tendineae

Fibrous tendinous cords in the heart chambers connecting the atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles.

Papillary muscles

Muscular projections within the heart ventricles attached to the chordae tendineae.

Superior vena cava

A great vessel returning deoxygenated systemic blood from the head, neck, and upper body to the right atrium.

Inferior vena cava

A great vessel returning deoxygenated systemic blood from the lower body and abdomen to the right atrium.

Pulmonary trunk

A great vessel arising from the right ventricle that routes deoxygenated blood toward the lungs.

Pulmonary veins

Great vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.

Aorta

The primary great vessel arising from the left ventricle that distributes oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

Right coronary artery

A major coronary vessel supplying oxygenated blood to the right side of the heart myocardium.

Anterior interventricular artery

A branch of the left coronary artery positioned along the anterior interventricular groove to nourish the ventricular walls.

Circumflex artery

A coronary artery branching off the left coronary artery that courses around the coronary sulcus to supply the posterior myocardium.

Ascending aorta

The initial upward segment of the systemic aorta arising directly from the left ventricle.

Aortic arch

The curved segment of the aorta giving rise to major branch arteries serving the head, neck, and upper limbs.

Abdominal aorta

The segment of the aorta extending through the abdominal cavity to supply abdominal organs and lower limbs.

Brachiocephalic artery

The first branch of the aortic arch supplying blood to the right upper limb, neck, and head.

Celiac trunk

A short artery branching from the abdominal aorta that divides into the splenic, left gastric, and common hepatic arteries.

Splenic artery

A branch of the celiac trunk that supplies oxygenated blood to the spleen.

Left gastric artery

A branch of the celiac trunk supplying oxygenated blood to the stomach.

Common hepatic artery

A branch of the celiac trunk supplying oxygenated blood to the liver and associated digestive organs.

Superior mesenteric artery

An abdominal aorta branch supplying blood to the small intestine and early sections of the large intestine.

Inferior mesenteric artery

An abdominal aorta branch supplying blood to the distal sections of the large intestine.

Renal artery

A paired branch of the abdominal aorta supplying blood to the kidney.

Common iliac artery

Terminal branches of the abdominal aorta supplying the pelvis and lower extremities.

Common carotid artery

A major artery of the head and neck supplying blood to the brain, head, and neck regions.

Vertebral artery

An artery traversing the cervical vertebrae to supply blood to the brain and spinal cord.

Subclavian artery

A major artery located beneath the clavicle supplying blood to the upper limbs.

Axillary artery

The continuation of the subclavian artery as it passes through the axilla (armpit).

Brachial artery

The main artery of the upper arm, continuing from the axillary artery.

Radial artery

An artery of the upper limb running along the lateral aspect of the forearm.

Ulnar artery

An artery of the upper limb running along the medial aspect of the forearm.

External iliac artery

A branch of the common iliac artery supplying the lower limb as it passes into the thigh.

Femoral artery

The principal artery of the thigh supplying the lower limb.

Popliteal artery

An artery located behind the knee joint supplying the lower leg.

Anterior tibial artery

An artery supplying the anterior leg compartment, continuing into the dorsalis pedis artery.

Dorsalis pedis artery

An artery located on the dorsal surface of the foot.

Posterior tibial artery

An artery supplying the posterior leg compartment and the sole of the foot.

Brachiocephalic vein

A trunk vein formed by the merger of the subclavian and internal jugular veins, draining into the superior vena cava.

Hepatic portal vein

A vessel of the abdominal system conducting nutrient-rich venous blood from the stomach and intestines to the liver.

Superior mesenteric vein

A vein draining blood from the small intestine into the hepatic portal system.

Inferior mesenteric vein

A vein draining blood from the large intestine into the hepatic portal system.

Renal vein

A vein draining filtered blood from the kidney into the inferior vena cava.

Common iliac vein

A vein formed by external and internal iliac veins that unites to form the inferior vena cava.

Internal jugular vein

A primary vein of the head and neck draining blood from the brain.

Median cubital vein

A superficial upper limb vein crossing the anterior cubital fossa of the elbow.

Basilic vein

A superficial vein located on the medial side of the upper limb.

Cephalic vein

A superficial vein located on the lateral side of the upper limb.

Great saphenous vein

A prominent superficial vein extending along the entire length of the lower limb.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, typically transporting oxygenated blood except in the pulmonary circuit.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart, typically transporting deoxygenated blood except in the pulmonary circuit.

S1

The first heart sound produced by the closure of the atrioventricular (tricuspid and mitral) valves.

S2

The second heart sound produced by the closure of the semilunar (pulmonary and aortic) valves.

Pulse point

An anatomical site where an artery lies superficial to a bone, allowing arterial pulse palpation.

Systolic pressure

The peak blood pressure exerted against arterial walls during ventricular contraction (systole).

Diastolic pressure

The lowest blood pressure exerted against arterial walls during ventricular relaxation (diastole).

Electrocardiogram

A graphic record of the electrical voltage changes generated by the heart during cardiac cycles.