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Arterioles

Smaller vessels that branch off arteries and feed into capillary beds.

Venules

Smallest vein components that branch off capillary beds and feed into larger veins returning blood to the heart.

Pulmonary circuit

Pumps oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs, involving the right side of the heart, lungs, and pulmonary arteries and veins.

Systemic Circuit

Transports oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the body involving the left side of the heart, capillaries, vena cavas, and aorta.

Coronary Circuit

Nourishes the heart (myocardium) with blood through coronary arteries supplying oxygen-rich blood and cardiac veins draining deoxygenated blood.

Contraction (systole)

The phase where ventricles contract, AV valves close, and SL valves remain closed causing pressure buildup.

Ventricular ejection

The process where SL valves open, allowing right and left ventricles to push blood out of the body.

Relaxation

The phase where ventricles relax, SL valves close, and the cardiac cycle restarts.

Gas exchange

The diffusion of O2 and CO2 in the alveoli and blood in the lungs and later between blood and body tissues.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The amount of air that comes in and out of the lungs during normal breathing.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after a normal inhalation.

Expiratory Reserve Volume

The amount of air that can be exhaled after a normal tidal volume exhalation.

Residual Volume (RV)

The amount of air that remains in the lungs to keep alveoli open and prevent lung collapse.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The total volume of air that can be exhaled after taking the deepest breath.

Diaphragm

A muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavity and plays a crucial role in breathing.

Inspiration

Process of inhalation where the diaphragm contracts, causing volume in the thoracic cavity to increase and pressure to decrease.

Expiration

Process of exhalation where the diaphragm relaxes, leading to decreased volume in the thoracic cavity and increased pressure.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in a single heartbeat, including mid to late diastole.