The Heartbeat and Cardiac Cycle

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the heartbeat, cardiac cycle, and circulatory system.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in the heart from the start of one heartbeat to the start of the next, composed of diastole and systole.

Diastole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles relax, allowing the atria and ventricles to fill with blood.

Systole

The phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles contract, pumping blood out of the atria and ventricles.

Double Circulation

The system in which blood flows twice through the heart and once around the body, consisting of pulmonary and systemic circulation.

Pulmonary Circulation

The part of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and returns oxygenated blood to the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation

The part of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.

Atrioventricular Valve

Valves located between the atria and ventricles that prevent backflow of blood into the atria; includes bicuspid (mitral) and tricuspid valves.

Bicuspid Valve

A heart valve with two leaflets located between the left atrium and left ventricle, also known as the mitral valve.

Tricuspid Valve

A heart valve with three leaflets located between the right atrium and right ventricle.

Coronary Arteries

Arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the heart muscle.

Septum

The wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart.

Sinoatrial Node (Pacemaker)

A group of specialized cardiac muscle cells that initiate the heartbeat and maintain the heart rhythm.

Vena Cava

The large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the right atrium of the heart.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.