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Cardiovascular System - Vocabulary (Chapter 5)

Cardiovascular System: Overview and Key Terms

  • Functions of the Cardiovascular (CV) System

    • Distribute blood to all body areas

    • Deliver needed substances to cells

    • Remove wastes from cells

  • Major organs and components

    • Heart

    • Arteries

    • Capillaries

    • Veins

    • Lumen: the channel within blood vessels

Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular System

  • Circulatory system divisions

    • Systemic circulation: heart → body → heart

    • Pulmonary circulation: heart → lungs → heart

  • Blood flow purpose

    • Delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells

    • Removes carbon dioxide and wastes for elimination (lungs, liver, kidneys)

  • Cardiac cycle basics (context for later sections)

    • Alternates between relaxation (diastole) and contraction (systole) to fill and eject blood

The Heart: Structure and Location

  • The heart is a muscular pump with four chambers

  • Normal resting heart rate: 60{-}100 ext{ bpm} (bpm = beats per minute)

  • Rough activity level: about 100{,}000 ext{ beats/day}

  • Location: mediastinum in the thoracic cavity; about the size of a fist

Heart Anatomy: Layers and Chambers

  • Heart layers (from inside to outside)

    • Endocardium: inner layer; lines heart chambers; smooth, reduces friction

    • Myocardium: thick muscular middle layer; contracts to generate pumping pressure

    • Epicardium: outer layer; forms visceral layer of pericardial sac; friction-reducing fluid in pericardial space

  • Heart chambers

    • Four chambers total: two atria (receiving) and two ventricles (pumping)

    • Septum divides right and left sides

  • Atria

    • Right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from body via the vena cavae

    • Left atrium receives oxygenated blood from lungs via pulmonary veins

  • Ventricles

    • Right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery

    • Left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body via the aorta

The Heart Valves

  • Purpose: ensure forward flow and prevent backflow

  • Four valves located at entrances/exits of ventricles

    • Tricuspid valve: between right atrium and right ventricle; AV valve; three cusps

    • Pulmonary valve: between right ventricle and pulmonary artery; semilunar valve (half-moon shaped)

    • Mitral valve: between left atrium and left ventricle; AV valve; bicuspid (two cusps)

    • Aortic valve: between left ventricle and aorta; semilunar valve

Blood Flow Through the Heart (Step-by-step)

  1. Deoxygenated blood from the body returns via the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava into the relaxed right atrium.

  2. Blood moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve; right atrium contracts to aid flow; right ventricle is relaxed during entry.

  3. From the right ventricle, blood is pumped through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery toward the lungs for oxygenation.

  4. Oxygenated blood returns from the lungs via the four pulmonary veins into the relaxed left atrium.

  5. Oxygenated blood moves from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the mitral valve; left atrium contracts to aid flow; left ventricle is relaxed during entry.

  6. Oxygenated blood is pumped from the left ventricle through the aortic valve into the aorta, delivering blood to the body.

  7. Heart chambers alternate between relaxation (diastole) and contraction (systole): diastole = filling phase; systole = ejection phase.

The Conduction System of the Heart

  • Purpose: regulate contraction and relaxation in the correct sequence; under autonomic nervous system control

  • Specialized tissue conducts electrical impulses to stimulate chamber contraction in order

  • Steps in sequence
    1) Sinoatrial (SA) node: initiates impulse; wave travels through atria causing atrial contraction
    2) Atrioventricular (AV) node: stimulated after SA node; delays impulse briefly
    3) AV node transfers stimulation to the AV bundle (Bundle of His)
    4) Impulse travels down bundle branches
    5) Purkinje fibers in ventricular myocardium stimulate ventricular contraction

  • Visuals: ECG traces illustrate the sequential activation of the chambers

Blood Vessels: Types and Basic Features

  • Three types of vessels

    • Arteries: carry blood away from the heart; thick muscular walls; can contract/relax; large to small as they branch into arterioles

    • Capillaries: tiny, thin-walled vessels; site of diffusion between blood and tissues

    • Veins: carry blood toward the heart; thin walls; valves; low pressure; venules merge into veins

  • Major arteries and veins examples

    • Major arteries (body): ascending aorta, aortic arch, common iliac, renal, carotids, brachial, radial, ulnar, femoral, etc. See figure/list in the source for a full enumeration.

    • Major veins: superior/inferior vena cavae, internal/external jugulars, hepatic portal vein, renal vein, iliac veins, great saphenous vein, etc.

  • The arterial system becomes progressively smaller as it branches into arterioles; venous system collects blood back toward the heart via venules and veins

Blood Pressure and Pulse

  • Blood pressure (BP): force exerted by blood against vessel walls

    • Systole: phase when blood is under the highest pressure (highest reading)

    • Diastole: phase when blood is under the lowest pressure (lowest reading)

  • Factors influencing BP and pulse

    • Elasticity of arteries

    • Diameter of blood vessels

    • Blood viscosity

    • Overall resistance to blood flow

  • Pulse

    • Definition: surge of blood caused by heart contraction

    • Common measurement sites: throat (carotid) or wrist (radial)

    • General relationship: pulse rate typically equals heart rate

Combining Forms, Suffixes, Prefixes (Key Building Blocks)

  • Combining Forms (selected)

    • angi/o = vessel

    • aort/o = aorta

    • arteri/o = artery

    • arteriol/o = arteriole

    • ather/o = fatty substance

    • atri/o = atrium

    • cardi/o = heart

    • coron/o = heart

    • embol/o = plug

    • fibrin/o = fibers

    • isch/o = to hold back

    • myocardi/o = heart muscle

    • phleb/o = vein

    • sept/o = wall

    • son/o = sound

    • sphygm/o = pulse

    • steth/o = chest

    • tele/o = distant

    • thromb/o = clot

    • valv/o = valve

    • valvul/o = valve

    • varic/o = dilated vein

    • vascul/o = blood vessel

    • vas/o = vessel

    • ven/o = vein

    • ventricul/o = ventricle

    • venul/o = venule

  • Additional combining forms (selected)

    • bi/o = life

    • corpor/o = body

    • cutane/o = skin

    • duct/o = to bring

    • electr/o = electricity

    • esophag/o = esophagus

    • hem/o = blood

    • lip/o = fat

    • my/o = muscle

    • orth/o = straight

    • pector/o = chest

    • peripher/o = away from center

  • Suffixes

    • -cardia = heart condition

    • -ole = small

    • -pressor = to press down

    • -spasm = involuntary muscle contraction

    • -tension = pressure

    • -tonic = pertaining to tone

    • -ule = small

    • -ac, -al, -ar, -ary, etc. = pertaining to

    • -emia = blood condition

    • -gram = record

    • -graphy = process of recording

    • -ia, -ic, -itis, -logy, -lytic, -megaly, -meter, -oma, -ose, -ous, -pathy, -plasty, -therapy, -tic, -tonic

    • -rrhexis = rupture

    • -sclerosis = hardening

    • -scope = instrument for viewing

    • -spasm = involuntary muscle contraction

    • -stenosis = narrowing

    • -tension = pressure

  • Prefixes

    • a- (without); anti- (against); brady- (slow); de- (without); endo- (inner); extra- (outside of); hyper- (excessive); hypo- (insufficient)

    • inter- (between); intra- (within); per- (through); peri- (around); poly- (many); pre- (before); re- (again); tachy- (fast)

    • tetra- (four); trans- (across); ultra- (beyond)

Adjective Forms of Anatomical Terms

  • aortic, arterial, arteriolar, atrial, AV (atrioventricular), cardiac, coronary, corporeal, etc.

  • Examples:

    • aortic = pertaining to the aorta

    • arterial = pertaining to an artery

    • atrial = pertaining to an atrium

    • cardiac = pertaining to the heart

    • coronary = pertaining to the heart

    • vascular = pertaining to a blood vessel

    • venous = pertaining to a vein

    • ventricular = pertaining to a ventricle

    • venular = pertaining to a venule

Medical Specialties and Roles

  • Cardiology: branch of medicine diagnosing and treating cardiovascular conditions

    • Cardiologist: physician specializing in cardiovascular diseases

  • Cardiovascular technologist/technician: healthcare professional performing diagnostics and therapies (ECG, echocardiography, exercise stress tests)

Signs and Symptoms (Key Terms with Definitions)

  • Angitis: inflammation of a vessel

  • Angiospasm: involuntary smooth muscle contraction in a vessel; narrows vessel

  • Angiostenosis: narrowing of a vessel

  • Bruit: harsh abnormal sound over an artery

  • Embolus: obstruction of a vessel by a clot

  • Hyperlipidemia: excessive lipids in the blood

  • Infarct: area of necrotic tissue due to loss of blood supply

  • Ischemia: temporary/local deficiency of blood supply due to obstruction

  • Murmur: extra or abnormal heart sound

  • Orthostatic hypotension: sudden drop in BP when standing

  • Palpitations: pounding or racing heart

  • Plaque: yellow fatty deposits in an artery; hallmark of atherosclerosis

  • Regurgitation: backward flow through a valve

  • Thrombus: blood clot within a vessel

Cardiovascular Pathologies (Selected Terms)

  • Angina pectoris: severe chest pain due to myocardial ischemia

  • Cardiac arrest: complete stoppage of heart activity

  • Cardiac tamponade: pressure on heart from fluid buildup in pericardial sac

  • Cardiomegaly: enlarged heart

  • Cardiomyopathy: myocardial disease; may result from infection, CHF, or alcohol abuse

  • Congenital heart defects: CSD (congenital septal defect) and PDA (patent ductus arteriosus)

  • CAD: coronary artery disease due to obstruction of coronary arteries

  • Endocarditis: inflammation of inner heart membranes; vegetation may form on valves when bacterial

  • Heart valve prolapse: cusps too loose; regurgitation occurs

  • Heart valve stenosis: cusps too stiff; regurgitation may occur

  • Myocardial infarction (MI): occlusion of a coronary artery causing infarct

  • Myocarditis: inflammation of heart muscle

  • Pericarditis: inflammation of pericardial sac

  • Tetralogy of Fallot: four congenital anomalies; right ventricle hypertrophy, pulmonary stenosis, VSD, abnormal aorta

  • Valvulitis: inflammation of a heart valve

Arrhythmias (Electrical Abnormalities)

  • Arrhythmia: irregular heart beat

  • Bradycardia: slow heart rate

  • Bundle branch block (BBB): electrical impulse blocked in bundle of His or bundle branches

  • Fibrillation: serious quivering or ineffective contraction; risk of cardiac arrest

  • Flutter: rapid but regular atrial beats

  • PAC: premature atrial contraction

  • PVC: premature ventricular contraction

  • Sinus rhythm: normal heart rhythm

  • Tachycardia: fast heart rate

Diagnostic Terms and Procedures

  • Imaging and recording techniques: angiography, Doppler ultrasonography, carotid ultrasonography, echocardiography (ECHO), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), thallium stress test, digital subtraction angiography

  • Angiography: X-rays after injecting a contrast dye into a vessel

  • Doppler ultrasonography: assesses blood flow velocity to detect clots or DVT

  • Echocardiography: ultrasound visualization of internal cardiac structures, especially valves

  • Thallium stress test: nuclear medicine test visualizing heart blood flow during exercise

  • Digital subtraction angiography: imaging of vessels with contrast and image processing

Cardiac Function Tests

  • Cardiac catheterization: catheter threaded into heart to detect abnormalities, obtain samples, measure intracardiac pressures

  • Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG): recording electrical activity to diagnose arrhythmias and myocardial damage

  • Holter monitor: portable ECG worn for days to assess heart activity in daily life

  • Stress testing: patient exercises on treadmill/bicycle while monitoring EKG and oxygen levels to evaluate cardiovascular fitness

Medical Procedures and Treatments

  • Emergency/acute care

    • Automated external defibrillator (AED): automatically detects life-threatening arrhythmias and delivers shock

    • CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation): chest compressions and artificial respiration to restore circulation

    • Defibrillation: electric shock to restore normal rhythm

  • Sclerotherapy: injection to treat varicose veins

  • Thrombolytic therapy: drugs to dissolve clots (e.g., tPA)

Surgical Procedures (Overview)

  • Aneurysmectomy: surgical removal of an aneurysm

  • Arterial anastomosis: joining of two arteries

  • Atherectomy: removal of an atheroma

  • Cardiac ablation: electrical destruction of tissue causing arrhythmias

  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG): grafting a vessel to bypass a blocked artery

  • Embolectomy: removal of an embolus

  • Endarterectomy: removal of diseased inner lining of an artery

  • Extracorporeal circulation (ECC): use of a heart-lung machine during open-heart surgery

  • Heart transplant: replacement with donor heart

  • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): device delivering shocks to correct rhythm

  • Intracoronary artery stent: stent placed within a coronary artery to widen lumen

  • Ligation and stripping: removing varicose veins

  • Pacemaker implantation: device to regulate heart rhythm

  • Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA): balloon catheter dilates a narrowed artery; often accompanied by stent

Therapeutic Terms and Pharmacology

  • Thrombolytic therapy: use of drugs to dissolve clots and restore blood flow

  • Extracorporeal: pertaining to outside the body

  • Cardiovascular pharmacology (drug categories and examples)

    • ACE inhibitors: vasodilation to lower BP (examples: Lotensin, Capoten)

    • Antiarrhythmics: prevent/diminish arrhythmias (Tambocor, Corvert)

    • Anticoagulants: prevent clot formation (warfarin, Coumadin)

    • Antilipidemics: reduce cholesterol (Lipitor, Zocor)

    • Antiplatelet agents: prevent platelet clumping (Plavix, Ticlid)

    • Beta-blockers: lower heart rate (Lopressor, Inderal)

    • Calcium channel blockers: decrease force of heartbeat (Cardizem, Procardia)

    • Cardiotonic agents: increase force of heart contraction (Lanoxin)

    • Diuretics: increase urine production to reduce plasma volume and BP (Lasix)

    • Fibrinolytics: dissolve existing clots (Activase)

    • Vasodilators: relax vessel walls to reduce BP and improve flow (Nitro-Dur, Apresoline)

    • Vasopressors: raise BP by constricting vessels (Vasostrict)

Abbreviations (Commonly Used in Cardiovascular Context)

  • AED: automated external defibrillator

  • AF, A-fib: atrial fibrillation

  • AMI: acute myocardial infarction

  • ASD: atrial septal defect

  • ASHD: arteriosclerotic heart disease

  • AV, A-V: atrioventricular

  • BBB: bundle branch block

  • BP: blood pressure

  • bpm: beats per minute

  • CABG: coronary artery bypass graft

  • CAD: coronary artery disease

  • cath: catheterization

  • CCU: coronary care unit

  • CHF: congestive heart failure

  • CK: creatine kinase

  • CoA: coarctation of the aorta

  • CP: chest pain

  • CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation

  • CSD: congenital septal defect

  • CV: cardiovascular

  • DSA: digital subtraction angiography

  • DVT: deep vein thrombosis

  • ECC: extracorporeal circulation

  • ECG, EKG: electrocardiogram

  • ECHO: echocardiogram

  • fib: fibrillation

  • HDL: high-density lipoprotein

  • heart cath: cardiac catheterization

  • HTN: hypertension

  • ICD: implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

  • ICU: intensive care unit

  • LDL: low-density lipoprotein

  • MI: myocardial infarction

  • MR: mitral regurgitation

  • MS: mitral stenosis

  • MVP: mitral valve prolapse

  • PDA: patent ductus arteriosus

  • PVD: peripheral vascular disease

  • S1: first heart sound

  • S2: second heart sound

  • P: pulse

  • PAC: premature atrial contraction

  • PVC: premature ventricular contraction

  • S-A: sinoatrial

  • TEE: transesophageal echocardiography

  • TOF: tetralogy of Fallot

  • tPA: tissue plasminogen activator

  • VF, V-fib: ventricular fibrillation

  • VSD: ventricular septal defect

  • VT: ventricular tachycardia

Practice Context and Real-World Relevance

  • Understanding anatomy and physiology supports accurate terminology, diagnosis, and patient education.

  • Knowledge of procedures, devices, and medications informs safe clinical decision-making and effective treatment planning.

  • Familiarity with common abbreviations improves communication in clinical settings and reduces errors.

Note on Content Scope

  • The notes reflect material covered in the provided transcript (Ch. 5 Cardiovascular System). Where figures are referenced in the source, the notes summarize the underlying concepts without reproducing figures.