definitions
1. Arteries
Aorta
Breakdown: The heart's primary exit ramp. It is the large pipe originating from the left ventricle.
Mnemonic: Aorta = Almost All blood exits here first.
Arteries
Breakdown: Strong, elastic vessels consisting of layers of tissue and smooth muscle.
Mnemonic: Arteries = Away from the heart.
Arterioles
Breakdown: Mini-arteries that serve as the bridge to the capillary beds.
2. Capillaries
Capillaries
Breakdown: Extremely thin-walled vessels where the actual exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste occurs.
Mnemonic: Capillaries are the Connectors and the site of Cellular exchange.
3. Coagulation and Bleeding Terms
Coagulation: The process of forming a clot.
Bruising Terms:
Contusion: The injury to the tissue beneath the skin.
Ecchymosis: The actual blue/black discoloration seen on the skin.
Mnemonic: Ecchymosis is the Evidence you see on the outside.
Hematoma: A mass or "pool" of blood collected in a cavity or tissue.
Mnemonic: -oma usually means a mass or swelling (like a tumor).
The "Hemo" Locations:
Epistaxis (Nosebleed): Think of Exit through the nose.
Hematemesis (Vomiting blood): Emesis is the medical term for vomiting.
Hemoptysis (Coughing blood): Ptysis sounds like "ptui," the sound of spitting something out from the lungs.
Hematuria (Blood in urine): Uria always refers to Urine.
Hemophilia: A genetic condition where clotting factors are missing.
Mnemonic: Philia means "love" or "tendency"—the blood has a tendency to keep flowing rather than clotting.
4. Shock and Its Types
Hypoperfusion (Shock)
Breakdown: Hypo (Low) + Perfusion (Flow). The system is failing to provide enough flow to cells.
Hypovolemic Shock
Breakdown: Hypo (Low) + Vol (Volume) + Emic (Blood).
Mnemonic: Low-Volume of fluid in the "tank."
5. Tourniquets
Junctional Tourniquet
Breakdown: Used specifically for "junctions" where a limb meets the torso (armpit or groin).
Mnemonic: Used where the body Joins together.
