Vessels and Heart Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy of blood vessels and the heart, along with circulation and conduction systems.

Tunica Intima

The innermost layer of blood vessel walls.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of blood vessel walls, consisting of smooth muscle.

Tunica Externa

The outermost layer of blood vessel walls.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood to the heart.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Capillaries

Vessels where gas exchange occurs.

Path of blood flow

Heart → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins.

Valves in larger veins

Prevent the backflow of blood.

Pulmonary veins

Bring blood from the lungs to the heart.

Pulmonary artery

Carries blood from the heart to the lungs.

Vena cava

Brings blood from the body to the heart.

Aorta

Carries blood from the heart to all systems in the body.

Coronary arteries

Supply nutrients and oxygen to the myocardium.

Left ventricle

Chamber of the heart with the thickest wall.

Chordae tendineae

Structures that prevent atrioventricular valves from inverting during contraction.

Apex

Pointed tip of the heart.

Right & Left atria

Two superior receiving chambers of the heart.

Right & Left ventricles

Two inferior discharging chambers of the heart.

Pulmonary circulation

Takes blood from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic circulation

Takes blood to the body and back to the heart.

Pulmonary veins and aorta

Vessels that bring oxygenated blood.

Vena cava and pulmonary artery

Vessels that bring deoxygenated blood.

Atrioventricular (AV) valves

Valves that close when the atria contract.

Semilunar valves

Valves that close when the ventricles contract.

Right atrium

Structure where blood from the upper and lower vena cavae enters the heart.

Right ventricle

Structure blood passes to the lungs from.

Left atrium

Structure where oxygenated blood enters the heart.

Left ventricle

Structure that pumps blood to the majority of the body.

Normal conduction pattern

SA Node → AV Node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers.

Sinoatrial (SA) node

Acts as the pacemaker of the heart.

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)

Instrument used to record the electrical currents of the heart.

Arrhythmias

Uncoordinated contractions of the heart.

Ventricular fibrillation

More life-threatening than atrial fibrillation.

Myocardial infarction

Scientific name for a heart attack.

Systole

Refers to contraction.

Diastole

Refers to relaxation.

Heart sounds: LUB

Closing of AV valves, ventricular contraction.

Heart sounds: DUP

Closing of semilunar valves, ventricular relaxation.

Valvular insufficiency

Refers to leaky valves.