Respiratory and Cardiovascular System Flashcards

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts in the respiratory and cardiovascular systems for exam preparation.

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

Gas exchange—oxygen is transferred to the blood, and carbon dioxide is removed.

What are the two functional divisions of the respiratory system?

Conducting airways and respiratory airways.

What are the conducting airways?

Nasal passages, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.

What is the role of the mucociliary blanket?

It traps dust, bacteria, and foreign particles and moves them towards the oropharynx for removal.

What are the main types of respiratory tract infections?

Upper respiratory infections (e.g., common cold) and lower respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia).

What is the most common cause of the common cold?

Rhinoviruses.

What is the main cause of influenza?

Influenza viruses (types A, B, and C) from the Orthomyxoviridae family.

What are the key symptoms of influenza?

Fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, and fatigue.

How does pneumonia develop?

Inflammation of the alveoli and bronchioles due to infection or inhalation of irritants.

What are the different classifications of pneumonia?

Community-acquired, hospital-acquired, bacterial, and atypical pneumonia.

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

An infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What are risk factors for tuberculosis?

Immunosuppression, crowded living conditions, and exposure to infected individuals.

What is bronchial asthma?

A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways causing increased responsiveness to stimuli.

What triggers asthma attacks?

Allergens, respiratory infections, stress, exercise, and air pollution.

What are common treatments for asthma?

Inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and avoiding triggers.

What is intrapleural pressure?

The pressure in the pleural cavity, which is always negative to prevent lung collapse.

What are type I alveolar cells responsible for?

Gas exchange.

What do type II alveolar cells do?

Produce surfactant to reduce surface tension in the alveoli.

What is ventilation?

The movement of air in and out of the lungs.

What is lung compliance?

The ease with which the lungs can expand.

What are the primary functions of the cardiovascular system?

Transport oxygen and nutrients, remove waste, regulate body temperature, and circulate hormones.

What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?

Heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), and blood.

What are the layers of the heart?

Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

What is the function of heart valves?

To control blood flow direction and prevent backflow.

What determines cardiac output?

Stroke volume × heart rate.

What is atherosclerosis?

Hardening of the arteries due to plaque buildup.

What are risk factors for atherosclerosis?

High LDL cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and aging.

What is coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart.

What are symptoms of myocardial infarction (heart attack)?

Chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating.

What is hypertension?

Persistent high blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg.

What is primary hypertension?

High blood pressure with no identifiable cause.

What is secondary hypertension?

High blood pressure caused by an underlying condition, such as kidney disease.

What are complications of hypertension?

Stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and vision loss.

What are lifestyle changes to manage hypertension?

Healthy diet, exercise, weight loss, and reduced salt intake.

What is heart failure?

The inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

What is right-sided heart failure?

Inability of the right ventricle to pump blood to the lungs, causing fluid buildup in the body.

What is left-sided heart failure?

Inability of the left ventricle to pump blood effectively, leading to lung congestion.

What are symptoms of heart failure?

Shortness of breath, swelling in legs, fatigue, and fluid retention.

What is cardiomyopathy?

A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.

What are the three types of cardiomyopathy?

Dilated, hypertrophic, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

What is alcoholic cardiomyopathy?

Heart damage due to excessive alcohol consumption.

What is pericarditis?

Inflammation of the pericardium (heart sac).

What is cardiac tamponade?

A life-threatening condition where fluid buildup in the pericardium compresses the heart.

What are common tests for diagnosing heart disease?

ECG, echocardiogram, stress tests, and angiography.

What are common treatments for heart failure?

Medications (diuretics, beta-blockers), lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, heart transplant.

What is the primary cause of ischemic heart disease?

Reduced blood flow due to atherosclerosis.

What is angina pectoris?

Chest pain due to reduced oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

How is angina managed?

Nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and lifestyle modifications.

What is an aneurysm?

Abnormal bulging of a blood vessel due to weak arterial walls.

What is thrombosis?

Formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.

What is a pulmonary embolism?

A blockage in the pulmonary artery due to a traveling blood clot.

What are the major complications of untreated hypertension?

Heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and aneurysms.

What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node?

It is the heart’s natural pacemaker, initiating electrical impulses.

What is the role of the AV node?

Delays electrical impulses to allow ventricles to fill before contraction.

What is the function of the Purkinje fibers?

They distribute electrical impulses to the ventricles, ensuring coordinated contraction.

What is stroke volume?

The amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle in one contraction.

What is ejection fraction?

The percentage of blood pumped out of the ventricle with each beat, typically 55-70%.

What is preload in cardiac function?

The initial stretching of the heart muscle fibers before contraction (related to venous return).

What is afterload?

The resistance the heart must overcome to pump blood into circulation.

What are varicose veins?

Swollen, twisted veins caused by valve failure in the venous system.

What is deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, which can lead to pulmonary embolism.

What is the function of capillaries?

Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.

What is vasodilation?

The widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

What is vasoconstriction?

The narrowing of blood vessels to increase blood pressure and reduce blood flow.

What are baroreceptors?

Sensory receptors in blood vessels that detect changes in blood pressure and help regulate it.

What is the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)?

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

What hormone causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water?

Aldosterone.

What are symptoms of an aortic aneurysm?

Often asymptomatic, but can include chest or back pain and pulsating mass in the abdomen.

What is the difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke?

Ischemic stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking an artery, while hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel rupture.

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often called a "mini-stroke."

What is peripheral artery disease (PAD)?

Narrowing of arteries in the legs, leading to pain, cramping, and poor circulation.

What is Raynaud’s disease?

A condition where blood flow to fingers and toes is reduced due to cold or stress, causing color changes.

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Thickening of the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood.

What are the primary causes of heart valve disease?

Congenital defects, infections (e.g., rheumatic fever), and degenerative changes.

What is endocarditis?

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, often caused by bacterial infection.

What is cardiogenic shock?

A life-threatening condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

What is the function of beta-blockers in cardiovascular disease?

They reduce heart rate and blood pressure by blocking adrenaline’s effects.

What lifestyle changes help prevent cardiovascular disease?

Healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing stress, and controlling blood pressure.

What is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

Systolic pressure is the force of blood when the heart contracts, while diastolic pressure is when the heart rests between beats.

What is the function of the diaphragm in respiration?

It contracts to expand the chest cavity during inhalation and relaxes during exhalation.

What is the purpose of surfactant in the lungs?

It reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing lung collapse.

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

A condition where lung tissue becomes scarred, reducing lung elasticity and gas exchange.

How does chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect breathing?

It causes airflow obstruction and difficulty exhaling, leading to shortness of breath.

What is the primary difference between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases?

Obstructive diseases limit airflow (e.g., asthma, COPD), while restrictive diseases limit lung expansion (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis).

What is the significance of the Frank-Starling mechanism?

It describes how the heart increases stroke volume in response to increased filling (preload).

How does the body compensate for heart failure?

By increasing heart rate, activating RAAS, and retaining fluids to maintain blood pressure.

What is the difference between systolic and diastolic heart failure?

Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump efficiently, while diastolic heart failure occurs when the heart can't fill properly.

What is an embolism?

A blockage of a blood vessel by a traveling clot or debris.

What are the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Leg pain, swelling, redness, and warmth.

What is an aortic dissection?

A tear in the aortic wall that can lead to life-threatening internal bleeding.

How does diabetes contribute to cardiovascular disease?

It increases the risk of atherosclerosis by damaging blood vessels and increasing inflammation.

What is the ankle-brachial index (ABI) used for?

It measures blood flow in the legs to diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD).

What is dilated cardiomyopathy?

A condition where the heart becomes enlarged and weakened, leading to reduced pumping ability.

What is the most common cause of heart failure?

Coronary artery disease (CAD), often due to atherosclerosis.

What is the primary effect of left-sided heart failure?

Fluid buildup in the lungs, leading to shortness of breath (pulmonary congestion).

What is the primary effect of right-sided heart failure?

Fluid retention in the body, causing swelling in the legs and abdomen.

What lifestyle modifications can help manage heart failure?

Low-sodium diet, regular exercise, weight management, and medication adherence.