Blood Pressure and Circulation

These flashcards cover key concepts about blood pressure, circulation systems, and related cardiovascular functions.

Blood Pressure

The force the blood exerts against the inner walls of the blood vessels.

Systolic Pressure (SP)

The maximum pressure reached during ventricular contraction.

Diastolic Pressure (DP)

The minimum pressure remaining before the next ventricular contraction.

Pulse Pressure (PP)

The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SP - DP).

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in the arterial system; represents the average force driving blood to the tissues (DP + 1/3 PP).

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood discharged from a ventricle each minute.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The volume of blood that enters the arteries with each ventricular contraction (approximately 70 mL/beat).

Peripheral Resistance (PR)

The force of friction between blood and walls of blood vessels; must be overcome for blood to flow.

Blood Viscosity

The difficulty with which molecules of fluid flow past each other; affects blood pressure.

Hypertension

Long-lasting elevated arterial blood pressure; can lead to serious health issues such as coronary thrombosis or stroke.

Venous Blood Flow

The flow of blood back to the heart from the venous system, influenced by skeletal muscle contraction and breathing.

Hepatic Portal System

A unique venous pathway that drains blood from the capillaries in the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen to the liver for processing.

Common Iliac Artery

Artery formed from the division of the abdominal aorta, supplying blood to the pelvis and lower limbs.