Vocabulary: Cardiovascular System Flashcards


Apex

points inferiorly toward the left hip


Pericardium


doubled-walled sac that encloses the heart


Epicardium


Visceral layer of the serous pericardium, integral
part of the heat wall


Myocardium

middle layer of heart wall, composed mainly of cardiac
muscle, the layer that contracts


Endocardium


Endothelial membrane that lines the interior
of the heart


Atria

Two superior chambers


Ventricle

Two inferior chambers


Interventricular Septum


separates the ventricles


Pulmonary Circulation

The blood vessels that carry blood to and from the lungs


AV Valves

Prevents backflow into the atrium when the connected
ventricles contract


Chordae Tendineae

tiny white collagen cords attach each AV valve,
anchor the cusps to the papillary muscles. Serve as guide wire


Semilunar Valves (SL Valves)

Valves that prevent blood return to the VENTRICLES
after contraction


Systemic Circulation

blood vessels that carry blood to and from all body tissues


Cardiac Cycle

Includes ALL events associated with the
blood flow through the heart during one complete heartbeat


Stroke Volume


Volume of blood pumped out by one
ventricle with each beat


Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes)

small cells flattened discs with depressed
centers Blood viscosity


Systolic Pressure


Pressure peak generated by
ventricular contraction
Averages: 120 mm HG


Diastolic Pressure

Aortic pressure drops to its lowest level

Average: 70-80 mm HG


Cardiac Output (CO)

Amount of blood pumped out of a ventricle in one minute


Arteries

Blood vessels that conduct blood away from the heart and into
the circulation


Capillaries

Smallest of the blood vessels and the sites of exchange
between the blood and tissue cells


Veins

Blood vessels that return blood toward the heart from the circulation