Med Term 4/24/25

Cardiovascular System Overview

  • The cardiovascular system consists of structures that circulate blood throughout the body, including the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Key Components

  • Arteries:

    • Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

    • Remember the phrase "Arteries Away" to help remember this function.

  • Blood:

    • The fluid circulated through the system, containing components like hemoglobin (oxygen transport), white blood cells (immune defense), and platelets (blood clotting).

  • Blood Vessels:

    • Generic term for tubes carrying blood, derived from the root word "angio."

    • Includes three types:

    • Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

    • Veins: Bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

    • Capillaries: Tiny vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs.

  • Heart:

    • A fist-sized, cone-shaped organ located behind the sternum and between the lungs.

    • Its primary function is to pump blood throughout the body.

  • Plasma:

    • The liquid portion of blood (about 55%), primarily made of water (90%).

Functionality

  • The cardiovascular system:

    • Supplies organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

    • Contains immune mediators (white blood cells).

    • Essential for waste removal from tissues.

New Combining Forms and Suffixes

  • New Root Words:

    • Angio: Blood vessels.

    • Arterio: Arteries.

    • Cardio: Heart.

    • Electro: Electrical activity.

    • Thrombo: Blood clot.

    • Veno: Veins.

  • Suffixes:

    • -ac: Pertaining to.

    • -gram: Record.

    • -graphy: Process of recording.

    • -graph: Instrument used for recording.

    • Sclerosis: Hardening.

  • Prefixes:

    • Tachy: Too fast.

    • Brady: Too slow.

Terms to Remember

  • Tachycardia:

    • Fast heart rate (>100 beats per minute).

  • Bradycardia:

    • Slow heart rate (<60 beats per minute).

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG):

    • Printout of the electrical activity of the heart.

  • Angiogram/Angioplasty:

    • Imaging and surgical procedures for blood vessels, particularly arteries.

  • Myocardial Infarction:

    • Heart attack due to the death of heart muscle from interrupted blood supply.

Lymphatic System Overview

  • The lymphatic system helps maintain fluid balance and contributes to immune defense.

Key Components

  • Lymph:

    • Colorless fluid containing white blood cells.

    • Flows in one direction toward the heart.

  • Lymph Nodes:

    • Small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid.

    • Engulf pathogens through white blood cell activity.

  • Spleen:

    • Organ that filters blood and removes old red blood cells.

  • Lymphatic Vessels:

    • Similar to blood vessels, carrying lymph fluid throughout the body.

Functionality

  • The lymphatic system:

    • Returns excess fluid to the blood.

    • Filters lymph by removing foreign substances.

    • Produces disease-fighting cells (e.g., T cells).

Blood Composition

  • Blood accounts for 8-10% of body weight:

    • Plasma: 55%.

    • Formed Elements: 45% (erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes).

Word Parts for Lymphatic System

  • Adeno: Gland.

  • Lympho: Lymphatic tissue.

  • Spleno: Spleen.

  • -penia: Abnormal reduction in number.

Key Terms to Remember

  • Anemia: Reduction in red blood cells.

  • Thrombocytopenia: Abnormal reduction of platelets.

  • Leukocytopenia: Reduction of white blood cells.

  • Lymphedema: Swelling due to lymph fluid retention.

  • Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen, typically performed after trauma or disease.

Important Procedures

  • Balloon Angioplasty:

    • Procedure to open blocked arteries by inflating a balloon in the artery.

  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG):

    • A surgical technique where vessels are harvested to bypass blocked arteries in the heart.

Health Conditions

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

    • Narrowing of the coronary arteries, often leading to myocardial infarction.

  • Heart Failure:

    • Inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

  • Hypertension and Hypotension:

    • High (≥130/80 mmHg) and low (<90/60 mmHg) blood pressure, respectively.

  • Cardiac Arrest:

    • Absence of pulse and blood circulation, not necessarily caused by a heart attack.

  • Embolus:

    • A blood clot or foreign material that can block blood flow.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems lays the foundation for grasping more complex medical concepts and procedures. Active participation in discussions, quizzes, and hands-on practices are crucial for mastering this material.