Anatomy 2320: Heart and Endocrine System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical structures, circulation pathways, cardiac conduction, and endocrine functions from the Anatomy 2320 exam review.

Mediastinum

The central compartment of the thoracic cavity where the heart is primarily located.

Arteries

Blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back toward the heart.

Pulmonary Circulation

The circulatory route that carries blood between the heart and the lungs.

Systemic Circulation

The circulatory route that carries blood between the left side of the heart and the tissues of the body.

Atria

The two superior receiving chambers of the heart.

Ventricles

The two inferior pumping chambers of the heart.

Epicardium

The outermost layer of the heart wall.

Myocardium

The thickest, muscular layer of the heart wall composed primarily of cardiac muscle.

Endocardium

The inner epithelial tissue layer that lines the internal chambers of the heart.

Coronary Sulcus

The surface groove that separates the atria from the ventricles.

Tricuspid Valve

The right atrioventricular (AV) valve located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Mitral Valve

The left atrioventricular (AV) valve, also referred to as the bicuspid valve, located between the left atrium and left ventricle.

Pulmonary Semilunar Valve

The valve positioned between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunk.

Aortic Semilunar Valve

The valve positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta.

Lubb

The first heart sound, produced by the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) valves.

Dupp

The second heart sound, produced by the closure of the semilunar valves.

Left Ventricle

The heart chamber that pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta; its wall is approximately 3 times thicker than that of the right ventricle.

Coronary Arteries

Vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients directly to the heart wall.

Left Anterior Descending (LAD) Artery

An alternate name for the anterior interventricular artery.

Circumflex Artery

A coronary arterial branch that primarily supplies blood to the left atrium and left ventricle.

Coronary Sinus

A large venous vessel receiving blood from major cardiac veins that drains directly into the right atrium.

Gap Junctions

Intercellular connections that allow cardiac muscle cells to communicate and function together as a unit.

Autorhythmicity

The intrinsic ability of the heart to initiate its own electrical beats.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The normal pacemaker of the heart, located in the right atrium, which initiates the normal electrical impulse.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A specialized node of conduction tissue that delays the electrical impulse to permit ventricular filling.

Atrioventricular (AV) Bundle

A tract of conducting cardiac muscle fibers also known as the Bundle of His.

Purkinje Fibers

Conduction fibers that originate near the apex and propagate electrical impulses through the ventricular myocardium.

P Wave

The ECG deflection representing atrial depolarization.

QRS Complex

The ECG waveform representing ventricular depolarization.

T Wave

The ECG deflection representing ventricular repolarization.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle characterized by chamber contraction.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle characterized by chamber relaxation.

Endocrine Glands

Ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.

Steroid Hormones

Lipid-based hormones biochemically derived from cholesterol.

Negative Feedback

A regulatory mechanism that slows or turns off a physiological process, exemplified by insulin lowering blood glucose levels.

Positive Feedback

A regulatory mechanism that accelerates an ongoing physiological process, exemplified by infant suckling triggering oxytocin release.

Hypothalamus

An important endocrine control center that regulates the anterior pituitary and produces ADH and oxytocin.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hypothalamic hormone, also called vasopressin, that promotes water reabsorption by the kidneys and causes vasoconstriction.

Oxytocin

A hormone synthesized by the hypothalamus that stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection.

Follicular Cells

Thyroid cells responsible for producing thyroid hormone, which elevates metabolic rate and supports growth and development.

Parafollicular Cells

Thyroid cells, also called C cells, that secrete calcitonin in response to elevated blood calcium levels.

Calcitonin

A thyroid hormone secreted by C cells that acts to lower blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid Chief Cells

Cells of the parathyroid glands that synthesize and secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that raises blood calcium levels, in part by stimulating osteoclast activity.

Adrenal Cortex

The outer region of the adrenal gland.

Adrenal Medulla

The inner region of the adrenal gland.

Alpha Cells

Pancreatic endocrine cells that secrete glucagon to raise blood glucose levels.

Beta Cells

Pancreatic endocrine cells that secrete insulin to lower blood glucose levels.

Delta Cells

Pancreatic islet cells that secrete somatostatin.

F Cells

Pancreatic islet cells that secrete pancreatic polypeptide.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that increases at night and helps regulate circadian rhythms.

Thymus

A thoracic organ essential for T-lymphocyte development that is generally larger in infants and children.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates erythrocyte production.

Calcitriol

A renal-produced substance that stimulates intestinal calcium uptake.

Renin

A substance produced by the kidneys that aids in the formation of angiotensin II.

Growth Hormone (GH)

An anterior pituitary hormone whose excess secretion can lead to gigantism or acromegaly.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition associated with deficient levels or hyposecretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).

Diabetes Mellitus

A metabolic disorder associated with low or deficient insulin production.