Chapter 8: Circulatory System

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the circulatory system, including its structures, functions, blood flow processes, and health-related information.

What are the primary purposes of the circulatory system?

Transportation of gases, nutrients, wastes, and hormones; regulation of body temperature; protection against blood loss and infections.

What type of blood do arteries carry, and what is the exception?

Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, except for the pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What is the main function of capillaries?

Capillaries are the site of exchange between blood and cells, allowing for the transfer of gases, nutrients, and waste.

What are the three types of blood vessels in the cardiovascular system?

Arteries, capillaries, and veins.

What distinguishes veins from arteries?

Veins carry blood toward the heart, have thinner walls, and contain one-way valves to prevent backflow.

What are the key structural differences between arteries and veins?

Arteries have thick elastic walls and carry blood away from the heart; veins have thinner walls and contain valves.

Describe the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node in heart function.

The SA node produces electrical signals that cause the heart to beat by initiating contraction of the atria.

What can result from an aneurysm?

Weakening or dilation of a blood vessel, which can reduce blood flow and put pressure on surrounding areas.

What happens during a stroke?

Interruption of blood flow to any part of the brain, either from a blockage (ischemic) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic).

What is cardiac output and how is it calculated?

Cardiac output is the amount of blood pumped per minute, calculated by multiplying heart rate (HR) by stroke volume (SV).

What is the function of platelets in the blood?

Platelets are involved in blood clotting and respond to injured blood vessels to form a fibrin clot.

How does blood regulate body temperature?

Blood regulates temperature by balancing heat production with heat loss through vasodilation and vasoconstriction.

What is atherosclerosis?

A condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions.

How does blood flow through the heart in terms of oxygenation?

Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium, moves to the right ventricle, is sent to the lungs via the pulmonary artery, and returns oxygenated through the pulmonary veins to the left atrium, then pumped to the body via the aorta.

What is the significance of the myocardium in heart function?

The myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart responsible for the contractions that pump blood.

What are the signs to recognize a stroke (Brain Attack)?

Ask the individual to smile, raise both hands, and speak a simple sentence. If they cannot perform these tasks, seek immediate medical help.

What is the order of the electrical signals that are released and part of the heart that contract?

SA node, atria contract, AV node, Purkinje fibers, Ventricles Contract