Medical terms 10

Cardiac cycle

one complete heartbeat that includes contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of both atria (upper heart chambers) and both ventricles (lower heart chambers

cardiovascular system

composed of the heart and blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body cells and carry away cellular wastes

Heart

hollow muscular organ that receives blood from the veins and propels blood through the arteries

Apex

the lower pointed end of the heart formed by the left ventricle

Coronary circulation

blood supply to the heart tissue

Septum

wall of heart tissue separating the right and left sides

Atrium

upper receiving chamber of the heart; right and left atria

Ventricle

lower pumping chamber of the heart; right and left ventricle

Endocardium

inner lining of the heart

Myocardium

middle muscular layer of heart tissue

Epicardium

outer lining of the heart

Pericardium

sac around the heart that facilitates movement of the heart as it beats

Aortic valve

heart valve between the left ventricle and aorta (main artery of the heart)

mitral valve

heart valve between the left ventricle and aorta

pulmonary valve

heart valve between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery; also called the semilunar valve due to the half moon shape of its three cusps

Tricuspid valve

heart valve between the right atrium and right ventricle

Blood vessels

tubular structures that transport blood

Capillary

microscopic thin walled vessel connecting the arterioles and venules where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange take place between the blood and cells of the body

Lumen

interior space of the vessel

Aorta

largest artery that begins as an arch from the left ventricle then branches and descends through the thoracic and abdominal cavities; carries oxygenated blood away from the heart

Artery

blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart

Arteriole

small artery that connects an artery to a capillary

Inferior vena cava

large vein carrying blood to the heart from the lower part of the body

Superior vena cava

large vein carrying blood to the heart from the upper part of the body

Venule

small vein that connects a capillary to a vein

Vein

vessel carrying blood to the heart

Lymph

clear fluid consisting of fluctuating amounts of white blood cells and a few red blood cells; bathes tissues and is removed by the lymph capillaries

Lymph nodes

small bean shaped masses of lymphatic tissue that filter bacteria and foreign material from the lymph; located on larger lymph vessels in the cervical, mediastinal, axillary, and inguinal regions

Lymphatic vessels

vessels transporting lymph from body tissues to the venous system

Lymph capillaries

microscopic thin walled lymph vessels that pick up lymph, protein, and waste from body tissues

Lymph ducts

the largest lymphatic vessels that transport lymph to the venous system; right lymphatic duct and thoracic duct

angi/o

vessel, vascular

aort/o

aorta

arteri/o

artery

ather/o

fatty, fatty deposit

atri/o

atrium

cardi/o

heart

coron/o

crown

electr/o

electric

my/o

muscle

phleb/o

vein

pulmon/o

lung

scler/o

hard

son/o

sound, sound waves

sphygm/o

pulse

stoth/o

chest

throac/o

chest, thorax

thromb/o

blood clot

valv/o, valvul/o

valve

vas/o, vascul/o

blood vessel

varic/o

swollen or twisted vein

ven/i, ven/o

veins

ventricul/o

normal cavity, ventricle

Arteriovenous (AV)

relating to both an artery and a vein or both arteries and veins in general

Atrioventricular (AV)

relating to both the atria and the ventricles of the heart

Cardiovascular

pertaining to the heart and blood vessels

Constriction

contracted or narrowed portion of a structure

Cyanotic

pertaining to a blue or purple discoloration due to deoxygenated blood

Deoxygenate

to remove oxygen

Diastole

the relaxation phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes and allows the chambers to fill with blood

Ischemic

pertaining to a lack of blood flow

Oxygenate

to add oxygen

Paroxysmal

sudden

Patent

open or exposed

Precordial

pertaining to the portion of body over the heart and the anterior lower chest

Sphygmic

pertaining to the pulse

Stenotic

pertaining to the condition of narrowing

Supraventricular

pertaining to above the ventricles

Systole

the contraction phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle pumps blood from the chambers into the arteries and ventricles

Thoracic

pertaining to the chest

Thrombotic

pertaining to the thrombus or blood clot

Varicose

pertaining to a swollen or twisted vein

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

chest pain and other signs and symptoms associated with cardiac ischemia

Aneurysm

dilation of an artery; usually due to a weakness in the wall of the artery

Angina pectoris

chest pain or pressure resulting from lack of blood flow to the myocardium

Angiostenosis

narrowing of a blood vessel

Aortic stenosis

narrowing of the aortic valve opening

Arteriosclerosis, arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD)

hardening or loss of elasticity of the arteries

Atherosclerosis

buildup of plaque or fatty deposits on inner arterial walls

Cardiac arrest

complete, sudden cessation of cardiac activity

Cardiac tamponade

compression of the heart due to an increase of fluid in the pericardium

Cardiomegaly

enlargement of the heart

Cardiomyopathy

disease of the heart muscle

Cardiopathy

any disease of the heart

Cardiovalvulitis

inflammation of the valves of the heart

Coarctation of the aorta

narrowing of the aorta causing hypertension, ventricular strain, and ischemia

congestive heart failure (CHF)

weakness of the heart causing an inability to circulate blood, leading to edema and fluid buildup in the lungs

Coronary artery disease

narrowing of coronary arteries causing a decrease of blood flow or ischemia to the myocardium

Coronary occlusion

blockage of a coronary vessel often leading to a myocardial infarction

Embolus

vascular blockage made up of a thrombus, bacteria, air, plaque, and/or other foreign matter

Endocarditis

inflammation of the endocardium, usually caused by bacterial infection somewhere else in the body

Hypertension

persistently elevated blood pressure

Hypotension

blood pressure that is below normal

Intermittent claudication

cramping of the lower leg muscles, usually caused by lack of blood flow

Ischemia

inadequate supply of blood to the tissues

Mitral valve prolapse

backward movement of the mitral valve cusps allowing regurgitation (backflow of blood)

Mitral valve stenosis

narrowing of the mitral valve opening, usually caused by scarring from rheumatic fever

Murmur

abnormal heart sound

myocardial infarction (MI)

death of heart tissue, usually due to coronary artery occlusion

Myocarditis

inflammation of the heart muscle