Cardiovascular and Medical Terminology – Comprehensive Study Notes

Aorta – The largest artery in the human body that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Apex – The lower, pointed end of the heart.

Atrial Kick – The contraction of the atria that increases pressure and actively pushes blood into the

ventricles before ventricular contraction.

Atrioventricular (AV) Node – Specialized tissue that can regulate the impulses between the atria

and ventricles.

Atrium – A small, muscular pouch-like structure that fills the ventricles with blood.

Auscultation – Listening to body sounds (heart, lung, digestive tract) using a stethoscope.

Automaticity – The ability of the cardiac cells to spontaneously generate electrical activity.

Bachmann’s Bundle – Component of the heart’s electrical conduction system responsible for

ensuring the near simultaneous depolarization of both atria.

Bundle Branch – Part of the conduction system responsible for transmitting electrical impulses from

the Bundle of HIS to the Purkinje fibers to trigger ventricular depolarization.

Bundle of HIS – A part of the conduction system responsible for receiving electrical impulses from

the AV node and transmitting the impulses to the bundle branches.

Contract – To shorten or tighten, particularly muscle tissue during activation.

Coronary Arteries – The arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.

Cyanosis – Skin, lips, toes, or fingers turning blue or discolored due to lack of perfusion.

Depolarization – A change in a cell’s electrical charge that triggers muscle contraction, caused by

the influx of sodium ions.

Diaphoresis – Excessive sweating.

Diastolic Pressure – When the heart muscle relaxes, recorded as the bottom blood pressure

number.

Ectopic – Originating from a location other than the sinoatrial (SA) node, often referring to abnormal

heartbeats.

Endocardium – The innermost layer of the heart.

Epicardium – The outermost layer of the heart.

Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) – Infection acquired via health care workers or in the health

care setting.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – Law protecting patient data

privacy and security.

Holter Monitor – A wearable device that continuously records heart activity for 24–48 hours to

detect arrhythmias or other issues.

Implied Consent – The patient’s actions indicate consent for a procedure.

Intercostal – Between the ribs.

Leads – Wires that transmit electrical activity from electrodes on the body to the EKG machine,

allowing for heart rhythm analysis.

Mediastinum – Chest cavity compartment that contains the heart and major vessels.

Medical Asepsis – Practices that reduce and prevent the spread of pathogens.

Midaxillary – Imaginary vertical line through the armpit, dividing front and back of body.

Midclavicular – Imaginary vertical line through the middle of the clavicle.

Myocardium – Middle muscular layer of the heart responsible for contractions.

Palpation – Using the hands to examine the body.

Perfuse – To deliver oxygen-rich blood to body tissues via the bloodstream.

Pericardium – Fluid-filled sac surrounding the heart to reduce friction.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Protective gear like gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles.

Protected Health Information (PHI) – Any identifiable health data about a patient.

Pulmonary Arteries – Arteries carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Pulmonary Veins – Veins carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Purkinje Fibers – Fibers conducting electrical impulses to ventricles for contraction.

Repolarization – The restoration of a cell’s resting electrical state following depolarization, allowing

the heart to relax.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) – Document listing hazards and first aid for chemicals.

Septum – Wall separating the left and right sides of the heart.

Sinoatrial (SA) Node – A small mass of tissue in the right atrium serving as the heart’s primary

pacemaker. It initiates the P wave on the EKG.

Sphygmomanometer – Device for measuring blood pressure, usually includes a dial, bulb, and cuff.

Standard Precautions – Basic infection-control steps used before, during, and after patient

encounters.

Stress Test – Test to induce ischemia and observe EKG changes; also called an exercise stress test.

Systolic Pressure – The pressure during heart contraction; top number in blood pressure readings.

Therapeutic Communication – Verbal and nonverbal methods used to ensure clear communication

with patients.

Ventricle – Lower chambers of the heart that pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.