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Mediastinum
The space within the thoracic cavity between the lungs where the human heart is located.
Pericardium
The protective sac surrounding the heart that separates it from other mediastinal structures and contains the pericardial cavity.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Abnormal enlargement of the heart muscle without a clear cause, potentially leading to unexplained death in healthy individuals.
Atria
Heart chambers that receive blood from either the systemic or pulmonary circuits.
Ventricles
Heart chambers responsible for pumping blood into either the systemic or pulmonary circuits.
Pulmonary trunk
Blood vessel carrying blood from the right ventricle to the lungs, branching into the pulmonary arteries.
Septum
A partition dividing the heart into chambers, including the interatrial and interventricular septum.
Valves
Specialized structures ensuring one-way blood flow in the heart, including atrioventricular and semilunar valves.
Coronary arteries
Blood vessels supplying the heart muscle (myocardium) with oxygenated blood.
Autorhythmicity
The ability of cardiac muscle to generate electrical impulses independently, regulating the heart's contraction rate.
Cardiac Cycle
The period from atrial contraction to ventricular relaxation.
Diastole
The relaxation phase when the heart chambers fill with blood.
Systole
The contraction phase when the heart pumps blood into circulation.
End Diastolic Volume (EDV)
Volume of ventricles before contraction.
End Systolic Volume (ESV)
Blood remaining in ventricles after contraction.
Stroke Volume
Amount of blood pumped by one ventricle.
Cardiac Output
Amount of blood pumped by each ventricle per minute.
Bradycardia
Resting heart rate below 60 BPM in adults.
Tachycardia
Resting heart rate above 100 BPM in adults.
Baroreceptor Reflex
Monitors blood pressure changes to maintain cardiac homeostasis.
Catecholamines
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine that increase depolarization rate.
Thyroxin
Increases heart rate and contractility by acting at the genome level.
Fibrillation
Quivering or irregular heart rhythm.
Hypokalemia
Low potassium levels leading to arrhythmias.
Hyperkalemia
High potassium levels causing the heart to become weak and flaccid, eventually failing.
Acidosis
Blood being too acidic.
Alkalosis
Blood being too alkaline, affecting enzyme function and heart rate.
Hyperthermia
Elevated body temperature increasing heart rate and contraction strength.
Hypothermia
Lowered body temperature slowing heart rate and contractions.
Preload
Stretch on the ventricles before contraction.
Sarcomeres
Basic contractile unit of a myocyte.
Frank-Starling mechanism
Force of heart contraction proportional to muscle fiber length.
Venous return
Blood flow from periphery back to the right atrium.
Contractility
Force of heart muscle contraction.
Afterload
Ventricular tension against vascular resistance for effective pumping.
Positive inotropic factors
Increase contractility (e.g., sympathetic stimulation).
Negative inotropic factors
Decrease contractility (e.g., parasympathetic stimulation).
Stroke volume
Determined by preload, contractility, and afterload.
Artery
Vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
Vein
Vessel returning blood to the heart.
Lumen
Hollow passageway for blood flow in vessels.
Vasa vasorum
Vessels within larger vessels distributing oxygen and nutrients.
Tunica intima
Innermost layer of veins/arteries regulating blood flow and pressure.
Tunica media
Middle layer with smooth muscle in veins/arteries.
Tunica externa
Outermost layer of veins/arteries preventing movement.
Elastic arteries
Close to the heart with elastic fibers in all tunics.
Muscular arteries
Further from the heart with more smooth muscle.
Arteriole
Small artery leading to capillaries, regulating blood flow.
Capillaries
Microscopic vessels supplying blood to tissues.
Perfusion
Process of supplying blood to tissues.
Continuous capillaries
Complete endothelial lining with tight junctions.
Fenestrated capillaries
Capillaries with pores in addition to tight junctions.
Sinusoid capillaries
Flattened capillaries with extensive gaps, found in specific organs.
Precapillary Sphincters
Control blood flow from metarterioles to thoroughfare channels when closed.
Arteriovenous Anastomosis
Direct connections between small arteries and veins.
Vasomotion
Irregular blood flow through capillary beds regulated by chemical signals.
Venules
Extremely small veins connecting capillary beds to larger veins.
Emigration/Diapedesis
Movement of leukocytes from circulation to tissues at venules.
Veins vs
Veins have thinner walls, larger lumens, and valves for unidirectional flow.
Venous Reserve
Blood stored in veins for redistribution in the body.
Capacitance Vessels
Veins, referred to as they can hold blood in addition to returning it to the heart.
Blood Flow
Movement of blood through vessels, tissues, or organs.
Blood Pressure
Force on blood vessel walls or heart chambers.
Systolic Pressure
Arterial pressure during ventricular contraction.
Diastolic Pressure
Arterial pressure during ventricular relaxation.
Pulse Pressure
Difference between systolic and diastolic pressure.
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)
Average blood pressure in arteries.
Ischemia
Insufficient blood flow leading to tissue damage.
Hypoxia
Inadequate tissue oxygenation.
Pulse
Expansion and recoil of arteries due to heart contraction.
Compliance
Ability of a compartment to expand with increased content.
Poiseuille's Equation
Describes blood flow in vessels based on pressure, radius, length, and viscosity.
Skeletal Muscle Pump
Increases venous pressure with muscle contraction to counteract gravity.
Vasomotor Centers
Control contraction of smooth muscle in the tunica media.
Baroreceptors
Specialized stretch receptors in the heart and blood vessels.
Atrial Reflex
Triggers sympathetic stimulation to increase cardiac output.
Chemoreceptors
Monitor blood levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH.
Endocrine Regulation
Involves hormones like catecholamines and interactions with the kidneys.
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Mechanism
Uses renin and angiotensin to regulate blood pressure.
Autoregulation of Perfusion
Relies on local self-regulatory mechanisms.
Chemical Signals
Regulate opening and closing of precapillary sphincters.
Myogenic Response
Reaction to stretching of smooth muscle in arterioles.
Circulatory Shock
Condition where the circulatory system can't maintain blood flow.
Role of Circulatory System in Digestive System
Absorbs nutrients and water.
Role of Circulatory System in Endocrine System
Delivers hormones for homeostasis.
Role of Circulatory System in Integumentary System
Carries clotting factors and regulates temperature.
Role of Circulatory System in Lymphatic System
Transports white blood cells and excess fluid.
Role of Circulatory System in Muscular System
Provides nutrients for contraction.
Role of Circulatory System in Nervous System
Regulates cardiac output and blood flow.
Role of Circulatory System in Respiratory System
Facilitates gas exchange.
Role of Circulatory System in Skeletal System
Provides minerals for bone matrix.
Development of Blood Vessels
Establishment of fetal circulation patterns.
Blood as Connective Tissue
Made up of cellular elements and an extracellular matrix.
Cellular Elements
The formed elements in blood, including red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
Platelets
Cell fragments involved in blood clotting.
Extracellular Matrix
Plasma, the liquid component of blood.
Primary Function of Blood
To deliver oxygen, nutrients, and remove wastes from body cells.
Blood Defense
White blood cells (WBCs) protect the body from external and internal threats.
Blood Homeostasis
Blood regulates body temperature, chemical balance, and water content.
Hematocrit
A test measuring the percentage of red blood cells (RBCs) in blood.
