Cardiovascular System Flashcards
(29 cards)
main components od the cardiovascular system??
Blood
Blood vessels: Arteries, veins, and capillaries
Heart
primary function of the cardiovascular system??
The cardiovascular system transports essential materials like oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.
volume of blood in healthy adults??
Healthy males: 5-6L
Healthy females: 4-5L
the main components of blood?
Plasma
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
White blood cells (leukocytes)
Platelets (thrombocytes)
composition of blood plasma?
Water (~90%) acts as a solvent.
Sodium, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphate, Magnesium in varying amounts.
functions of red blood cells (erythrocytes)?
Carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs.
the role of white blood cells (leukocytes)?
Part of the body’s defense system, involved in immune response and fighting infections.
different types of white blood cells (leukocytes) and their functions?
Neutrophils: Phagocytic cells, most common.
Lymphocytes: Involved in immune responses (T and B cells).
Monocytes: Phagocytic, mature into macrophages.
Eosinophils: Remove toxins and histamine.
Basophils: Release histamine during inflammation.
main blood vessels and their functions?
Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart.
Veins: Carry blood back to the heart.
Capillaries: Sites of exchange between blood and tissues.
the structure of capillaries and their function?
Capillaries allow for the exchange of fluids and solutes between blood and interstitial fluid.
About 20L of fluid is filtered out per day, with 17L reabsorbed at the venous end.
the chambers and valves of the heart?
The heart has 4 chambers: Right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle.
Valves:
Atrioventricular valves: Tricuspid (right) and Bicuspid/mitral (left).
Semilunar valves: Aortic and Pulmonary.
what type of muscle is the heart muscle??
Cardiac muscle: Involuntary, striated muscle (also known as myocardium).
What are the layers of the heart?
Epicardium: Outer layer.
Endocardium: Inner layer.
the function of the semilunar valves?
semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary) prevent the backflow of blood into the ventricles during diastole.
difference between diastole and systole?
Diastole: Relaxation phase where blood flows from atria to ventricles.
Systole: Contraction phase where blood is pumped from ventricles to lungs or body.
What is the cardiac cycle?
The cardiac cycle consists of alternating diastole (relaxation) and systole (contraction) phases of the heart’s chambers.
What is the ECG (Electrocardiogram) and how is it used?
The ECG records electrical activity of the heart, reflecting the contraction and relaxation phases of the cardiac cycle.
How is heart rate controlled?
Heart rate is regulated by the autonomic nervous system:
Sympathetic nerves increase heart rate.
Parasympathetic nerves decrease heart rate.
What factors affect blood flow in the body?
Blood flow is directly related to the pressure difference between the start and end points of a vessel.
It is inversely related to resistance, which depends on vessel diameter and blood viscosity.
What is blood pressure and why is it important?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels.
It is necessary for blood to flow through the arteries, ensuring oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.
How does blood flow occur in veins?
Muscle contractions help compress veins.
Valves prevent backflow of blood.
The diaphragm also helps compress the veins during breathing, assisting blood return to the heart.
How does resistance affect blood flow?
Blood flow is inversely related to resistance. As the vessel diameter gets smaller or the blood becomes more viscous, resistance increases, reducing blood flow.
What are the types of blood pressure relevant in the cardiovascular system?
Systolic pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.
Diastolic pressure: The pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats.
What is the relationship between blood pressure and heart function?
Blood pressure is generated by the heart’s contraction and is essential for maintaining blood flow through the arteries. However, it does not directly move blood in veins.
