Anatomy Cardiovascular system

Question 1

Epicardium

Answer 1

Outer layer that protects the heart and secretes a lubricating serous fluid

Question 2

Myocardium

Answer 2

The middle layer, which contracts to pump blood

Question 3

Endocardium

Answer 3

The innermost layer that lines the chambers and valves

Question 4

Endothelial cells

Answer 4

Line blood vessels and help regulate blood flow, exchange, and immune responses

Question 5

Systolic pressure

Answer 5

Top number in a blood pressure reading and represents the pressure in your arteries when the heart contracts (beats) and pumps blood out

Question 6

Diastolic pressure

Answer 6

Arterial pressure when the heart is resting

Question 7

Systemic circuit

Answer 7

Part of the circulatory system that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart

Question 8

Pulmonary circuit

Answer 8

Part of the circulatory system that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, and then returns oxygenated blood back to the heart

Question 9

Cardiac arrhythmias

Answer 9

Problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat

Question 10

Bradyarrhythmias

Answer 10

A type of arrhythmia where the heart beats too slowly, typically under 60 beats per minute

Question 11

Complete atrioventricular block (AV block)

Answer 11

A type of bradyarrhythmia where the electrical signal between the atria and ventricles is delayed or completely blocked at the AV node or below

Question 12

Sinus Bradycardia

Answer 12

A type of slow heart rhythm (bradyarrhythmia) that originates from the SA node

Question 13

Junctional / Nodal rhythms

Answer 13

Heart rhythms that originate from the AV node area instead of the SA node. Usually happens when the SA node fails, so the AV node takes over as the backup pacemaker

Question 14

Tachyarrhythmias

Answer 14

Pulse rates that are abnormally fast

Question 15

Sinus tachycardia

Answer 15

Often caused by fever or infection. A fast but regular heart rhythm from the SA node

Question 16

Supraventricular tachycardia

Answer 16

Very fast heart rhythm that starts above the ventricles

Question 17

Conduction irregularities

Answer 17

Irregular pulses that often occur post-operatively and are usually not significant

Question 18

Premature contractions

Answer 18

Early heartbeats that happen before the normal heartbeat is expected

Question 19

Tunica intima

Answer 19

The innermost layer of a blood vessel

Question 20

Tunica media

Answer 20

The middle layer of a blood vessel

Question 21

Tunica adventitia

Answer 21

The outermost layer of a blood vessel

Question 22

Elastic arteries (Structure)

Answer 22

Includes the aorta and major branches. Tunica media has more elastin than any other vessel. They are the largest vessels in the arterial system

Question 23

Elastic arteries (Function)

Answer 23

Stretch when blood is forced out of the heart, and recoil under low pressure

Question 24

Muscualr arteries (structure)

Answer 24

Includes the arteries that branch off the elastic arteries. Tunica media has a higher proportion of smooth muscle cells and fewer elastic fibers as compared to elastic arteries

Question 25

Muscular arteries (function)

Answer 25

Regulate blood flow by vasoconstriction / vasodilation

Question 26

Arterioles (structure)

Answer 26

Tiny vessels that lead to the capillary beds. Tunica media is thin but composed almost entirely of smooth muscle cells

Question 27

Venules (structure)

Answer 27

Tiny vessels that exit the capillary beds. Thin, porous walls; few muscle cells and elastic fibers

Question 28

Venules (function)

Answer 28

Empty blood into larger veins

Question 29

Veins (structure)

Answer 29

Thin tunica media and tunica intima, wide lumen, and valves prevent backflow of blood

Question 30

Veins (function)

Answer 30

Carry blood into larger veins

Question 31

Arterioles (function)

Answer 31

Primary vessels involved in vasoconstriction/vasodilation. Control blood flow to capillaries

Question 32

Turbulent blood flow

Answer 32

A messy, swirling type of blood movement that can signal or cause cardiovascular issues

Question 33

Laminar blood flow

Answer 33

The quiet, streamlined, energy-efficient way blood normally moves through healthy vessels

Question 34

Intercellular clefts

Answer 34

Small gaps or spaces between the endothelial cells that line capillaries and other blood vessels

Question 35

Continuous capillaries

Answer 35

The most common type of capillary in the body, known for their tight, uninterrupted endothelial lining

Question 36

Fenestrated capillaries

Answer 36

Have tiny pores (fenestrations) in their endothelial lining, allowing for increased permeability compared to continuous capillaries

Question 37

Sinusoidal capillaries

Answer 37

The most permeable type of capillary, designed to allow the exchange of large molecules and even cells between blood and surrounding tissues

Question 38

Peripheral resistance

Answer 38

The resistance of the vessels to the flow of blood as a result of friction

Question 39

Red blood cells (Erythrocytes)

Answer 39

Oxygen-carrying cells that help fuel your body’s tissues and organs, thanks to the protein hemoglobin

Question 40

Hematocrit

Answer 40

The percentage of your blood volume made up of red blood cells

Question 41

Platelets (Thrombocytes)

Answer 41

Small, cell fragments in the blood that play a critical role in blood clotting and wound healing

Question 43

Erythropoietin

Answer 43

Produced by the liver and kidneys, a hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the bone marrow

Question 44

Myeloid stem cells

Answer 44

Bone marrow precursors that create most blood cells, including red cells, platelets, and several white cells

Question 45

Erythroblasts

Answer 45

Immature red blood cell precursors found in the bone marrow during the process of erythropoiesis

Question 46

Reticulocytes

Answer 46

Immature red blood cells (RBCs) that have just been released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream