Integrative Physiology: Cardiovascular Physiology

These flashcards cover key concepts in cardiovascular physiology, including definitions and important processes related to the heart and circulation.

Cardiovascular System

The system that circulates blood through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Cardiac Cycle

The sequence of events in a heartbeat, including contraction and relaxation of the heart chambers.

Stroke Volume

The amount of blood pumped by one ventricle during a contraction.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood pumped by one ventricle in a given period of time.

End-Diastolic Volume (EDV)

The volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole, just before contraction.

End-Systolic Volume (ESV)

The volume of blood remaining in the ventricle at the end of contraction.

Frank-Starling Law

The principle that stroke volume increases as end-diastolic volume increases.

Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure between two points in the cardiovascular system which drives blood flow.

Cardiac Muscle

Specialized muscle tissue found only in the heart, characterized by intercalated discs and a single nucleus.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node

A cluster of cells that serves as a relay station for electrical signals from the atria to the ventricles.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node

The heart's natural pacemaker located in the right atrium that initiates the heartbeat.

Autorhythmic Cells

Cells that generate their own electrical impulses in the heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A graphical representation of the electrical activity of the heart.

Cardiac Cycle Phases

Includes late diastole, atrial systole, isovolumetric contraction, ventricular ejection, and isovolumetric relaxation.

Heart Valves

Structures that ensure one-way flow of blood through the heart chambers.

Epinephrine

A hormone that increases heart rate and contractility; also known as adrenaline.

Inotropic Effect

The effect of agents on the force of cardiac contraction.

Ventricular Depolarization

The electrical activation of the ventricles, represented by the QRS complex in an ECG.