Anatomy and Function of the Cardiovascular System and Blood (copy)

Cardiovascular System

Comprises the heart and blood vessels responsible for transporting blood throughout the body.

Heart

The muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the cardiovascular system.

Atria

Upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the body and lungs.

Ventricles

Lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Pericardium

A double-walled sac surrounding the heart that contains serous fluid.

Arteries

Blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs.

Atrioventricular (AV) Valves

Valves that separate the atria from the ventricles in the heart.

Semilunar Valves

Valves located at the base of the aorta and pulmonary artery, preventing backflow of blood.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped out by each ventricle in one minute.

Hemocytoblast

A stem cell that differentiates into various types of blood cells.

ABO Blood Group System

Classification of blood based on the presence of antigens A and B on red blood cells.

Antigens

Substances on the surface of cells that can trigger an immune response.

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

Cells that are part of the immune system and defend the body against infection.

Platelets

Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.

Pacemaker Cells

Cells in the SA node that initiate and propagate the action potential for heart contractions.

Tunica Intima

The innermost layer of blood vessels, lined with endothelium and loose connective tissue.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of blood vessels, consisting of smooth muscle and elastic fibers.

Tunica Externa

The outermost layer of blood vessel walls, composed of connective tissue.

Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)

Cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body and carbon dioxide from the body back to the lungs.

Myocardium

The muscular middle layer of the heart wall.

Endocardium

The inner layer of the heart composed of endothelial cells.

Cardiac Contraction Cycle

The heartbeat process where atrial walls contract before ventricles.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium.

Interventricular Septum

The wall that separates the right and left ventricles.

Blood Pressure

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