Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Physical Health Sciences > Cardiovascular System > Flashcards

Cardiovascular System Flashcards

(65 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Briefly outline the cardiovascular system

A

Vena Cavae –> Right Atrium –> Right AV Valve –> Right Ventricle –> Pulmonary SL Valve –> Pulmonary Arteries –> Lungs –> Pulmonary Veins –> Left Atrium –> Left AV Valve –> Left Ventricle –> Aortic SL Valve –> Aorta –> Body –> Vena Cavae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the names of the Atrioventricular valves and where are they situated?

A
  1. Tricuspid (right AV) Valve
    right atrium –> right ventricle
  2. Bicuspid (left AV) (mitral) Valve
    left atrium –? left ventricle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What do tricuspid and bicuspid mean?

A 
Tricuspid = 3 cusps of endocardium
Bicuspid = 2 cusps of endocardium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the names of the Semilunar valves and where are they situated?

A
  1. Pulmonary valve
    right ventricle –> pulmonary artery
  2. Aortic valve
    left ventricle –> aorta
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which blood vessels supply the heart with blood?

A

Coronary arteries and veins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the position of the heart

A
  • In the mediastinum (between lungs in the thoracic cavity)

- Between ribs 2 and 6

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the base of the heart called and what is significant about this area?

A

Apex, where the heartbeat is at maximum intensity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the point of maximal intensity?

A

The point at which the cardiac impulse can be best palpated against the chest wall

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What structure divides the two halves of the heart?

A

Septum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the name of the heart covering and what is it?

A

Pericardium; a sac surrounding the heart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the 3 layers of the pericardium and what are their functions?

A

1 layer = Fibrous pericardium (protects the heart and anchors it to surrounding structures)
2 layers = Serous Pericardium Membranes; Parietal Pericardium (lines interior of fibrous pericardium) and Visceral Pericardium (part of the heart wall - also known as the epicardium)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the 3 layers of the heart wall and what are they made up of?

A
  1. Epicardium = visceral pericardium
  2. Endocardium = thin sheet of endothelium that lines the heart chambers
  3. Myocardium = thick bundles of cardiac muscle tissue twisted into ring-like structures; this is the part that contracts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the function of the pericardial sac/ cavity?

A

Collects serous fluids released by membranes which keeps the heart moist so it can beat without friction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the pulmonary circuit?

A

Right ventricle –> Lungs –> Left atrium

Low pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the systemic circuit?

A

Left ventricle –> Body tissues –> Right atrium

High pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the difference between the right and left walls of the heart?

A

The wall of the left ventricle is thicker as it needs to pump blood around the whole body

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is cardiac output?

A

The volume of blood pumped out of the heart from each ventricle in 1 minute

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How much of the blood volume does the heart receive?

A

5%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the purpose of the blood that is supplied to the heart?

A

To nourish and oxygenate the myocardium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Describe the location of the coronary arteries

A

Branch from the aorta and encircle the coronary sulcus (AV groove)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the names of the 4 branches of the coronary arteries?

A
  1. Anterior interventricular artery (LEFT)
  2. Circumflex artery (LEFT)
  3. Posterior interventricular artery (RIGHT)
  4. Marginal artery (RIGHT)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How does the blood leave the myocardium?

A

Its drained by the cardiac veins which empty into an enlarged vessel called the coronary sinus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is another name for the SAN (Sinoatrial Node) and why?

A

The ‘pacemaker’ because it initiates the heartbeat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the process of a heartbeat

A
  1. Impulses spread across the atria from the SAN and cause them to contract
  2. Impulses reach the AVN which delays them by 0.1 second to allow the atria to finish contracting
  3. Impulses spread to the Bundle of His which conducts them to the base of the ventricles
  4. Purkinje fibres spread the impulses up and out, causing the ventricles to contract from the bottom up
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the definition of a cardiac cycle?
The chain of events that occurs in one heartbeat, including pressure changes and contractions
26
Describe the relationship between the sounds that the heart makes
``` lub = AV valves closing dub = SL valves closing ```
27
Outline what happens in atrial systole
- Atria contract together - Ventricles are relaxed - Pressure is high in atria than ventricles - Blood flows into ventricles through AV valves
28
Outline what happens in ventricular systole
- Atria relax - Pressure is higher in ventricles than atria - AV valves close - Ventricles contract - SL valves open and blood flows out of the heart
29
Outline what happens in Diastole
- Heart is relaxed - SL valves close - Pressure is higher in blood vessels and atria than ventricles - AV valves open - Blood slowly flows into the ventricles - Cycle repeats
30
What does ECG stand for and what does it measure?
Electrocardiograph | Measures the electrical currents in the heart
31
What are the 3 parts of an ECG monitor?
Sensor, Transducer and Monitor
32
What does the P wave represent?
Atrial depolarisation | impulses from SAN sweep over atria
33
What do the QRS waves represent?
Ventricular Depolarisation | impulses spreading through the AV node, Bundle of His and Purkinje fibres and cause the ventricles to contract
34
What does the T wave represent?
Ventricular Repolarisation | relaxation of ventricular muscle
35
What is stroke volume?
The volume of blood pumped out of the heart by each ventricle with each heartbeat
36
What is heart rate?
The number of times the heart beats per minute
37
What is the equation for cardiac output? (include units)
Cardiac Output (ml) = Heart Rate (bpm) x Stroke Volume (ml/beat)
38
Name 4 factors that increase heart rate
1. Trauma 2. Low/ high blood pressure 3. Hormones 4. Exercise
39
Name a factor that decreases heart rate
Decreased blood volume
40
What system allows the heart rate to increase and decrease?
Sympathetic Nervous System increases HR | Parasympathetic Nervous System decreases HR
41
What is venous return?
Volume of blood which returns to the heart
42
What factors affect venous return?
Exercise increases VR | Blood loss decreases VR
43
What is blood pressure?
The pressure exerted on the walls of the blood vessels as blood passes through them
44
What is peripheral resistance?
The amount of friction blood encounters as it flows through blood vessels
45
Name 4 factors that increase blood pressure?
1. Decreased blood volume 2. Exercise 3. Chemicals (e.g. nicotine) 4. Increased blood viscosity
46
What are the names of the 3 layers that make up the blood vessel walls?
1. Tunica externa 2. Tunica media 3. Tunica intima
47
What is the tube through which the blood flows called?
Lumen
48
What are the differences between the walls of arteries and veins?
- The tunica media and externa are much thicker in arteries than veins - Arteries also have an internal elastic lamina (between tunica intima and media) and an external elastic lamina (between tunica media and tunica externa)
49
What is the tunica intima made up of?
Endothelium and loose connective tissue
50
What is the tunica media made up of?
Smooth muscle and elastic fibres
51
What is the tunica externa made up of?
Collagen fibres
52
Give 4 characteristics of veins
1. Contain valves (except hepatic, superior vena cavae etc) 2. Carry deoxygenated blood (except pulmonary) 3. Split into smaller branches called venules and then capillaries 4. Have a larger lumen than arteries to carry more blood and reduce resistance
53
Outline the blood flow of deoxygenated blood
Capillaries --> Venules --> Veins --> Vena Cavae
54
Give 2 characteristics of arteries
1. Carry oxygenated blood (except pulmonary) | 2. Split into smaller branches called arterioles and then capillaries
55
What is mean arterial pressure?
Average pressure in arteries (mmHg)
56
Outline the blood flow of oxygenated blood
Aorta --> Arteries --> Arterioles --> Capillaries
57
Give the equation for Mean Arterial Pressure (include units)
MAP (mmHg) = diastolic pressure + ((systolic pressure + diastolic pressure) divided by 3) e.g. BP = 120/90 90 + ((120-90) divided by 3) = 100mmHg
58
How is MAP significant in pregnancy?
If pregnant women have a MAP over 120mmHg they can have a placenta eruption and there is a risk of them having a stroke
59
What are the formed elements in blood?
Erythrocytes Leucocytes Platelets
60
What is the function of salt in blood plasma?
Maintains osmotic balance, pH buffering and regulation of membrane permeability
61
What is the function of plasma proteins?
Maintain osmotic balance, pH buffering, blood clotting, defence and lipid transport
62
What are the 3 types of leucocytes?
1. Lymphocytes (produce antibodies) - agranulocyte 2. Monocytes (undergo phagocytosis) - agranulocyte 3. Granulocytes: - neutrophils - eosinophils - basophils
63
What is haemostasis?
Stopping a flow of blood (e.g. coagulation)
64
What is a granulocyte?
White blood cell with secretory granules in its cytoplasm
65
What is an agranulocyte?
White blood cell with a one-lobed nucleus

Physical Health Sciences (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions