Anatomy of the Heart and Blood Vessels

Aorta: The largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body. It plays a crucial role in systemic circulation.
Apex: The pointed lower tip of the heart, which is important for the heart's orientation and positioning within the thoracic cavity.
Arteries: Blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart, essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Atria: The two upper chambers of the heart (right and left atrium) that receive blood returning from the body and lungs, respectively.
Capillaries: Microscopic blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues.
Ventricles: The two lower chambers of the heart (right and left ventricles) that pump blood out of the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Pulmonary Circulation: The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back, crucial for oxygenation of blood.
Systemic Circulation: The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back, responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
Septum: The wall that separates the right and left sides of the heart, preventing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Diastolic Pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed, indicating the lowest pressure in the arterial system.
Systolic Pressure: The pressure in the arteries during heart contraction, representing the highest pressure in the arterial system.
Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart, returning deoxygenated blood from the body.

Terminology and Word Parts

Ventricul/o: Refers to the ventricle, a key chamber of the heart involved in pumping blood.
Coron/o: Pertains to the heart, often used in terms related to coronary arteries.
Pulmon/o: Relates to the lungs, significant in discussions of pulmonary circulation.
Ven/i: Refers to veins, important for understanding blood return to the heart.
Dilat/o: Indicates widening or stretching, relevant in discussions of blood vessel health.
Ather/o: Refers to fatty plaque, often associated with atherosclerosis.

-sclerosis: Indicates hardening, often used in medical conditions like arteriosclerosis.
-stenosis: Refers to narrowing, commonly seen in conditions affecting blood vessels or heart valves.
-tension: Relates to pressure, crucial in understanding blood pressure measurements.
-graphy: The process of recording, used in diagnostic imaging techniques.
Em-: Means in or within, often used in anatomical terms.
Echo-: Refers to sound, particularly in echocardiograms.

Anticoagulant: Medications that prevent blood clot formation, crucial for patients at risk of thrombosis.
Antihypertensive: Drugs that lower blood pressure, important for managing hypertension and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Vasoconstrictor: Medications that narrow blood vessels, often used in emergency situations to increase blood pressure.
Antianginal: Drugs that relieve chest pain (angina) by improving blood flow to the heart muscle.
Thrombolytic: Medications that dissolve blood clots, used in acute myocardial infarction treatment.
Diuretic: Medications that promote fluid removal via urine, often used to manage hypertension and heart failure.

Holter Monitor: A device that records continuous heart rhythm (ECG) over 24–48 hours, used to detect arrhythmias.
Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test that visualizes the heart's structure and function, essential for diagnosing various heart conditions.
Sphygmomanometer: An instrument used to measure blood pressure, providing critical information about cardiovascular health.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): A condition characterized by narrowed arteries, leading to decreased blood flow to extremities, often diagnosed through imaging tests.
Aneurysm: A localized, balloon-like dilation of a blood vessel, which can be life-threatening if it ruptures.
Hypertension and Hypotension: Conditions defined by higher or lower than normal blood pressure, respectively, requiring careful monitoring.

Lub-Dub Sounds: The sounds produced by the heart during the cardiac cycle; 'Lub' is the sound of the tricuspid and bicuspid valves closing, while 'Dub' is the sound of the pulmonary and aortic valves closing.
Right Ventricle Function: Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, playing a critical role in pulmonary circulation.
Left Ventricle Function: Pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, essential for systemic circulation.
Direction of Blood Flow: Blood travels in one direction through the heart, facilitated by valves that prevent backflow.
Types of Circulation: The two main types are systemic and pulmonary, each serving distinct functions in oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal.
Heart Valves: Include the tricuspid, bicuspid (mitral), pulmonary, and aortic valves, which ensure unidirectional blood flow through the heart.