Chapter 11: The Language of Medicine (Study Terms)

aorta

Largest artery in the body.

apex of the heart

Lower tip of the heart.

arteriole

Small artery.

artery

Largest type of blood vessel; carries blood away from the heart.

atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His)

Specialized muscle fibers that carry electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles.

atrioventricular node (AV node)

Specialized tissue that carries electrical impulses from the SA node to the ventricles.

atrium

One of the two upper chambers of the heart.

capillary

Smallest blood vessel where materials pass between blood and tissues.

carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Gas released by body cells and exhaled through the lungs.

carotid arteries

Two arteries in the neck that supply blood to the head, neck, and brain.

coronary arteries

Blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

deoxygenated blood

Blood that is low in oxygen.

diastole

Relaxation phase of the heartbeat.

electrocardiogram (ECG)

Recording of the heart's electrical activity.

endocardium

Inner lining of the heart.

endothelium

Innermost lining of blood vessels.

mitral valve

Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle; also called the bicuspid valve.

murmur

Abnormal swishing sound caused by improper closure of heart valves.

myocardium

Muscular middle layer of the heart.

normal sinus rhythm

Normal heartbeat originating from the sinoatrial node (60–100 beats per minute).

oxygen

Gas carried in the blood to body tissues.

pacemaker (sinoatrial node)

Specialized tissue in the right atrium that starts the heartbeat.

pericardium

Double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.

pulmonary artery

Artery carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.

pulmonary circulation

Flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back.

pulmonary valve

Valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

pulmonary vein

Vein carrying oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

pulse

Heartbeat felt through the arteries.

septum

Wall dividing the right and left sides of the heart.

sinoatrial node (SA node)

Natural pacemaker of the heart.

sphygmomanometer

Instrument used to measure blood pressure.

systemic circulation

Flow of blood from the heart to the body and back.

systole

Contraction phase of the heartbeat.

tricuspid valve

Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle.

valve

Structure that prevents blood from flowing backward.

vein

Blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

vena cava

Largest vein in the body that returns blood to the right atrium.

ventricle

One of the two lower chambers of the heart.

venule

Small vein.

arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythms caused by problems with the heart's electrical system.

bradycardia

Slow heart rate, usually caused by problems with electrical conduction.

heart block

Failure of electrical impulses to travel properly from the SA node to the ventricles.

bundle branch block (BBB)

Delay or blockage of electrical impulses in the right or left bundle branches.

atrial flutter

Rapid but regular contractions of the atria.

fibrillation

Very rapid, irregular, and inefficient contractions of the heart.

atrial fibrillation (AF)

Most common arrhythmia; the atria quiver instead of beating normally.

ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Life-threatening rhythm where the ventricles quiver instead of pumping blood.

catheter ablation

Minimally invasive procedure that destroys abnormal heart tissue causing arrhythmias.

implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)

Device implanted to detect and stop dangerous heart rhythms.

automatic external defibrillator (AED)

Portable device used in emergencies to restore a normal heart rhythm.

congenital heart disease

Heart abnormalities present at birth.

coarctation of the aorta (CoA)

Narrowing of the aorta.

patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

Opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery remains open after birth.

septal defects

Holes in the wall separating the heart chambers.

atrial septal defect (ASD)

Hole in the wall between the atria.

ventricular septal defect (VSD)

Hole in the wall between the ventricles.

tetralogy of Fallot

Congenital heart defect consisting of four abnormalities that reduce oxygen to the body.

congestive heart failure (CHF)

Heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

Type of heart failure where the heart pumps out too little blood.

heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)

Type of heart failure where pumping strength is normal but the heart doesn't fill properly.

pulmonary edema

Fluid buildup in the lungs.

pitting edema

Swelling that leaves an indentation when pressed.

left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

Mechanical pump that helps the left ventricle pump blood.

coronary artery disease (CAD)

Disease caused by plaque buildup in the coronary arteries.

atherosclerosis

Hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup.

plaque

Fatty deposits that narrow arteries.

thrombotic occlusion

Blockage of an artery by a blood clot.

ischemia

Reduced blood flow to tissue.

necrosis

Death of body tissue.

myocardial infarction (MI)

Heart attack caused by blocked blood flow to the heart.

infarct

Area of dead tissue caused by loss of blood supply.

acute coronary syndromes (ACS)

Group of conditions caused by sudden reduced blood flow to the heart.

unstable angina

Chest pain occurring at rest or increasing in frequency.

endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, usually due to infection.

vegetations

Clumps of bacteria, blood cells, and proteins attached to heart valves.

emboli

Traveling clots or debris that block blood vessels.

petechiae

Small pinpoint hemorrhages.

hypertensive heart disease

Heart damage caused by high blood pressure.

mitral valve prolapse (MVP)

Mitral valve bulges into the left atrium during contraction.

mitral regurgitation

Backward flow of blood through the mitral valve.

pericarditis

Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart.

pericardial friction rub

Scratching sound heard with a stethoscope in pericarditis.

cardiac tamponade

Pressure on the heart caused by fluid around it.

pericardiocentesis

Procedure to remove fluid from around the heart.

rheumatic heart disease

Heart valve damage caused by rheumatic fever.

mitral stenosis

Narrowing of the mitral valve.

aneurysm

Localized widening or bulging of an artery.

abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)

Aneurysm occurring in the abdominal portion of the aorta.

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg.

pulmonary embolism (PE)

Blockage of a lung artery by a traveling blood clot.

hypertension (HTN)

High blood pressure.

peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

Poor blood flow caused by narrowed arteries in the limbs.

intermittent claudication

Leg pain during walking that improves with rest.

Raynaud disease

Disorder causing episodes of reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes.

varicose veins

Enlarged, twisted veins caused by damaged valves.

hemorrhoids

Varicose veins in the rectum or anus.

BNP test

Blood test that measures brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to help diagnose heart failure.

cardiac biomarkers

Blood tests that detect proteins released when heart muscle is damaged.

troponin I (cTnI)

Protein released into the blood after heart muscle injury or heart attack.

troponin T (cTnT)

Protein released into the blood after heart muscle injury or heart attack.