Cardiovascular System

• Apex:

  • The pointed or rounded end of a conical structure, often referring to the bottom tip of the heart.

• Base:

  • The broader or flat upper part of an organ, often referring to the top of the heart.

• Coronary Arteries:

  • Blood vessels that supply the heart muscle (myocardium) with oxygen and nutrients.

• Aorta:

  • The largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and carrying oxygenated blood to the systemic circulation.

• Pulmonary Arteries:

  • Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation.

• Pulmonary Veins:

  • Blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.

• Tricuspid:

  • Pertaining to the tricuspid valve, a valve between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart.

• Bicuspid/Mitral:

  • Pertaining to the bicuspid (mitral) valve, a valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart.

• Atrium/Atria:

  • The upper chambers of the heart (left and right atrium), receiving blood.

• Ventricle:

  • The lower chambers of the heart (left and right ventricle), pumping blood to the rest of the body.

• Septum:

  • A wall or partition dividing a cavity, such as the interatrial septum or interventricular septum in the heart.

• Inferior and Superior Vena Cava:

  • Large veins that return deoxygenated blood from the body to the right atrium of the heart.

    • Inferior Vena Cava: Drains blood from the lower part of the body.

    • Superior Vena Cava: Drains blood from the upper part of the body.

• Nodes:

  • In the context of the heart, specialized tissue that regulates the heartbeat.

    • Atrioventricular (AV) Node: Controls the impulses between the atria and ventricles.

    • Sinoatrial (SA) Node: Initiates the electrical impulses that regulate the heart rate.

• Pacemaker:

  • An artificial device that regulates the heartbeat, often implanted in the chest to treat irregular heart rhythms.

• Stent:

  • A small mesh tube inserted into a narrowed or blocked blood vessel to keep it open.

• Heart Disease:

  • A broad term encompassing various conditions that affect the heart's structure and function.

• Endothermic Regulation:

  • The ability of warm-blooded organisms to regulate their internal body temperature.

• Heart Health - Smart Choices:

  • Refers to lifestyle choices and habits that promote a healthy cardiovascular system, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking.

• Chordae Tendineae:

  • Fibrous cords in the heart that connect the atrioventricular valves to the papillary muscles.

• Trabeculae Carneae:

  • Irregular muscular ridges in the walls of the ventricles of the heart.

• Auricle:

  • A small, ear-shaped appendage or atrial appendage of the heart.

• LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device):

  • A mechanical device implanted to assist the left ventricle in pumping blood, often used as a bridge to heart transplantation.

• Angioplasty:

  • A medical procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed blood vessels, typically using a balloon catheter.

• Vasoconstrictor:

  • A substance that causes blood vessels to narrow, increasing blood pressure.

• Pericardium:

  • The double-layered sac surrounding the heart, consisting of the visceral pericardium (epicardium) and the parietal pericardium.