Anatomy & Physiology of the Heart – Review

40 fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key structures, functions, pathologies, and physiology of the heart.

The heart is located in the __, deep to the sternum, with about two-thirds lying to the left.

mediastinum

An adult heart is roughly the size of a __.

fist

The __ (base) surface of the heart is formed primarily by the left atrium.

posterior

The right ventricle forms most of the __ surface of the heart, lying directly behind the sternum.

anterior

The pericardial space normally contains about __ mL of serous fluid.

20

Inflammation of the pericardium is called __.

pericarditis

Excess fluid in the pericardial cavity that impairs filling is known as __.

cardiac tamponade

The procedure used to remove excess pericardial fluid is __.

pericardiocentesis

The three layers of the heart wall from inner to outer are endocardium, __, and epicardium.

myocardium

The __ contains the main coronary arteries, fat, and nerve fibers.

epicardium

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy involves abnormal thickening of the __ and septum.

left ventricle

Grooves separating the atria from the ventricles are called the __ sulcus.

coronary

The right atrium receives blood from the superior & inferior vena cava and the __ sinus.

coronary

The valve between the right atrium and right ventricle is the __ valve.

tricuspid

Semilunar valves guard the exits from the ventricles: the pulmonary valve on the right and the __ valve on the left.

aortic

Closure of the AV valves produces the first heart sound, labeled __.

S1 (lubb)

Rapid ventricular filling in young people may produce the extra heart sound __.

S3

The three major epicardial coronary arteries are the LAD, circumflex, and __.

right coronary artery

A 50 % or greater narrowing of an epicardial coronary artery is called __ (abbrev. CAD).

coronary artery disease

The right coronary artery supplies the SA node in about __ % of people.

60

The left coronary artery divides into the circumflex and the __ (abbrev. LAD).

left anterior descending artery

The veins of the heart drain mainly into the __, which empties into the right atrium.

coronary sinus

Reduced blood flow to heart muscle resulting in chest pain is called __ pectoris.

angina

Myocardial __ is reversible if blood flow returns before significant cell death, whereas myocardial infarction is not.

injury

Sympathetic stimulation acts on __-1 receptors in the heart to increase rate.

beta

Parasympathetic stimulation uses the neurotransmitter __ to slow the heart.

acetylcholine

Sensors that detect changes in blood pressure are called __.

baroreceptors

A __ chronotropic effect refers to a decrease in heart rate.

negative

Systole refers to chamber __, whereas diastole refers to chamber relaxation.

contraction

Atrial contraction that tops off ventricular filling is known as the atrial __.

kick

Cardiac output equals stroke volume multiplied by __.

heart rate

An ejection fraction below __ % indicates impaired ventricular function.

40

The formula for blood pressure is BP = cardiac output × __ resistance.

peripheral

Arteriosclerosis is hardening of arteries, whereas __ specifically involves plaque build-up.

atherosclerosis

The diaphragm is innervated by the __ nerves that pass through the fibrous pericardium.

phrenic

The four fibrous rings of connective tissue that support the valves are collectively called the cardiac __.

skeleton

Heart valve narrowing that restricts flow is called __.

stenosis

__ circulation refers to small alternative vessels that can supply tissue when a main coronary artery is blocked.

collateral

The sound of inflamed pericardial layers rubbing is termed a pericardial __ rub.

friction

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles relax and fill is ventricular __.

diastole