circulatory Flashcards
(156 cards)
1
Q
absolute refractory period
A
the early phase of repolarization in which the cell contains such a large concentration of ions that it cannot be stimulated to depolarize.
2
Q
afterload
A
the pressure in the aorta against which the left ventricle must pump blood.
3
Q
agranulocytes
A
leukocytes that lack granules.
4
Q
alpha effects
A
stimulation of alpha receptors that results in vasoconstriction.
5
Q
anemia
A
a decrease in the number of red blood cells, for any reason.
6
Q
anterior descending coronary artery
A
one of the two branches of the left main coronary artery.
7
Q
antibodies
A
proteins within plasma that react with antigens.
8
Q
antigens
A
substances on the surface of erythrocytes that are recognized by the immune system.
9
Q
aorta
A
the largest artery in the body, which carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the entire body.
10
Q
aortic arch
A
one of the three described portions of the aorta; the section of the aorta between the ascending and descending portions that gives rise to the right brachiocephalic (innominate), left common caotid, and left subclavian arteries.
11
Q
aortic valve
A
the semilunar valve that regulates blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta.
12
Q
arteries
A
the blood vessels that carry blood away form the heart.
13
Q
arteriosclerosis
A
the deposition of calcium in the arterial walls that results in a loss of elasticity and concomitant reduction in blood flow.
14
Q
ascending aorta
A
the first of three portions of the aorta; originates from the left ventricle and gives rise to two branches, the right and left coronary arteries.
15
Q
atherosclerosis
A
a disorder characterized by the formation of plaques of material, mostly lipids and cholesterol, on the inner arterial walls.
16
Q
atrioventricular (AV) node
A
the site located in the right atrium adjacent to the septum that is responsible for transsiently slowing electrical conduction.
17
Q
atrioventricular valves
A
the two valves through which blood flows from the atria to the ventricles.
18
Q
atrium
A
one of the two chambers in the heart that receives blood back from the body.
19
Q
automaticity
A
the ability of cardiac cells to generate an impulse to contract even when there is no external nervous stimulus.
20
Q
axillary vein
A
the vein that is formed from the combination of the basilic and cephalic veins; it drains into the subclavian vein.
21
Q
baroreceptors
A
receptors in the blood vessels, kidneys, brain, and heart that respond to changes in pressure in the heart or main arteries to help maintain homeostasis.
22
Q
basilar artery
A
the artery that is formed when the left and right vertebral arteries unite after entering the brain though the foramen magnum.
23
Q
basilar vein
A
one of the two major veins of the arm, it combines with the cephalic vein to form the axillary vein.
24
Q
basophils
A
the least common of all granulocytes; they are important in both allergic and inflammatory reactions.
25
beta effect
stimulation of beta receptors that results in increased inotropic, dromotropic, and chronotropic states.
26
bilirubin
a waste product of red blood cell destruction that undergoes further metabolism in the liver.
27
blood
the fluid tissue that is pumped by the heart through the arteries, veins, and capillaries and consists of plasma and formed elements or cells, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
28
bruit
an abnormal "whooshing-like" sound indicating chaotic blood flow within a blood vessel.
29
bundle of His
part of the conduction system of the heart; a continuation of the atrioventricular node.
30
capillaries
thin-walled vessels that allow oxygen and nutrients to pass out into the cells and allow carbon dioxide and waste products to pass from the cells into the capillaries.
31
cardiac cycle
the pumping process begins with the onset of myocardial contraction and ends with the beginning of the next contraction.
32
cardiac output
expressed as liters per minute, the amount of blood pumped through the circulatory system in 1 minute.
33
cardiac tamponade
a life-threatening state of shock that develops as a result of a large pericardial effusion.
34
carotid bifurcation
the point of division at which the common carotid artery branches at the angle of the mandible into the internal and external carotid arteries.
35
carotid canals
an opening in the cranial vault through which the carotid arteries enter.
36
carotid sinus
a slight dilation in the carotid bifurcation that contains structures that are important in the regulation of blood pressure.
37
cephalic vein
one of the two major veins of the arm that combine to form the axillary vein.
38
cerebellum
the part of the brain that is located dorsal to the pons and is responsible for coordination and balance.
39
cerebral arteries
the arteries that supply blood to large portions of the cerebral cortex of the brain.
40
chemoreceptors
receptors in the blood vessels, kidneys, brain, and heart that respond to changes in chemical composition of the blood to help maintain homeostasis.
41
chordae tendineae cordis
small muscular strands that attach the ventricles and the valves, preventing regurgitation of blood through the valves from the ventricles to the atria.
42
chronotropic state
related to the control of the heart's rate of contraction.
43
circle of Willis
an interconnection of the anterior cerebral arteries and the anterior communicating artery, which forms an important source of collateral circulation to the brain.
44
circumflex coronary artery
one of the two branches of the left main coronary artery.
45
conduction system
a group of complex electrical tissues within the heart that initiate and transmit stimuli that result in contractions of myocardial tissue.
46
conductivity
the ability of cardiac cells to conduct electrical impulses.
47
contractility
the strength of heart muscle contraction.
48
coronary arteries
arteries that arise from the aorta shortly after it leaves the left ventricle and supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients.
49
coronary artery disease (CAD)
the condition that results when either atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis is present in the arterial walls.
50
coronary sinus
veins that collect blood that is returning from the walls of the heart.
51
cusps
the flaps that comprise the heart valves.
52
depolarization
the process of electrical discharge and flow of electrical activity from a cell.
53
descending aorta
one of the three portions of the aorta, it is the longest portion and extends through the thorax and abdomen into the pelvis.
54
diapedesis
a process whereby leukocytes leave blood vessels to move toward tissue where they are needed most.
55
dorsalis pedis artery
a continuation of the anterior tibial artery at the foot.
56
dromotropic state
related to the control of the heart's conduction rate.
57
ejection fraction
the portion of the blood ejected from the ventricle during systole.
58
electrical potential
an electrical charge difference that is created by the difference that is created by the difference in sodium and potassium concentration across the cell membrane at any given instant.
59
electrocardiogram (ECG)
a graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
60
embolus
a piece of clot that travels from one part of the body to another, potentially becoming an obstruction to blood flow.
61
endocarditis
infection of a heart valve.
62
eosinophils
granulocytes that contain granules that strain bright red with acidic stain, eosin, and function in the body's allergic responce.
63
epicardium
the layer of the serous pericardium that lies closely against the heart; also called the visceral pericardium.
64
epinephrine
a naturally occuring hormone with a greater stimulatory effect on beta receptors that also may be given as a cardiac drug.
65
erythroblastosis fetalis
a serious condition that results when a pregnant woman's blood type is incompatible with the fetus' blood type and antibodies from the mother enter the fetal circulation and destroy the fetus' red blood cells.
66
erythrocytes
disk-shaped cells that carry oxygen to the tissues; also known as red blood cells.
67
erythropoiesis
the process by which red blood cells are made.
68
excitability
a property of cardiac cells that provides the cells with the ability to respond to electrical impulses.
69
femoral artery
a continuation of the external iliac artery, it supplies circulation to the thigh, external genetalia, anterior abdominal wall, and knee.
70
femoral vein
a continuation of the saphenous vein that drains into the external iliac vein
71
fibrin
a white insoluble protein formed in the clotting process.
72
foramen ovale
an opening between the two atria that is present in the fetus but closes shortly after birth.
73
fossa ovalis
a depression between the right and left atria that indicates where the foramen avale had been located in the fetus.
74
granulocytes
a type of leukocyte that has large cytoplasmic granules that are easily seen with a simple light microscope.
75
heart
a muscular, cone-shaped organ whose function is to pump blood throughout the body.
76
hematopoiesis
the process of blood cell production in the bone marrow; also called hemopoiesis.
77
hemoglobin
the protein in red blood cells that gives them their reddishcolor, it binds oxygen absorbed in the lungs and transports it to the tissues where it is needed.
78
hemostasis
control of bleeding by formation of a blood clot.
79
heparin
a substance found in large amounts in basophils that inhibits blood clotting.
80
hepatic portal system
a specialized part of the venous system that drains blood from the liver, stomach, intestines, and spleen.
81
hepatic veins
the veins to which blood empties after liver cells in the sinusoids of the liver extract nutrients, filter the blood, and metabolize various drugs.
82
histamine
a substance found in large iamounts in basophils that increases tissue inflammation.
83
inferior vena cava
one of two major veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart via the right atrium. Blood from the lower body is returned to the heart by the inferior vena cava.
84
inotropic state
related to the strength of the heart's contraction.
85
interatrial septum
a membrane that separates the right and left atria.
86
interventricular septum
a thick wall that separates the right and left ventricles.
87
ischemia
insufficient oxygen at a particular tissue site often associated with obstruction of arterial blood flow to the site.
88
jaundice
a yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes because of excessive concentrations of bilirubin in the blood.
89
jugular veins
the two main veins that drain the head and neck.
90
leukemia
a cancerous condition in which certain cell lines begin to grow abnormally fast and invade other tissues.
91
leukocytes
white blood cells that are responsible for fighting infection.
92
lumen
the opening or hollow part of a blood vessel.
93
lymphocytes
the smallest of the agranulicytes, they originate in the bone marrow but migrate through the blood to the lymphatic tissues.
94
macrophages
cells that are responsible for protecting the body against infection.
95
mediastinum
the area in the chest that lies between the lungs and contains the heart and great vessels.
96
mesenteric angina
pain caused by partial occlusion of the mesenteric artery from atherosclerosis.
97
mesenteric infarction
blockage of a mesenteric artery resulting in necrosis of a portion of the bowel.
98
mitral valve
the valve in the heart that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
99
monocytes
agarnulocytes that migrate out of the blood and into the tissues in response to an infection.
100
murmur
an abnormal heart sound, heard as a "whooshing-like" sound indicating turbulent blood flow within the heart.
101
myocardial infarction (MI)
blockage of the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart, resulting in death to a portion of the myocardium.
102
myocardium
the heart muscle.
103
neutrophils
one of the three types of granulocytes; they have multi-lobed nuclei that resemble a string of baseballs held together be a thin strand of thread; they destroy bacteria, antigen-antibody complexes, and foreign matter.
104
norepinephrine
a naturally occuring hormone with a greater stimulatory effect on alpha receptors that also may be given a cardiac drug.
105
P wave
the first positive wave in the normal cardiac conduction pattern, it represents movement of the electrical impulse through the atria, resulting in atrial contraction.
106
palmar arches
the two arches formed from the radial and ilnar vessels within the hand, creating the superficial and deep palmar arches.
107
papillary muscle
specialized muscles that attach the ventricles to the cusps of the valves by muscular strands called chordae tendineae cordis.
108
parietal layer
one of two layers of the seous pericardium. It is separated from the visceral pericardium by a small amount of pericardial fluid.
109
pericardial effusion
a condition, often caused by trauma, in which the pericardial sac fills with too much fluid, hampering the heart's ability to expand and contact properly.
110
pericardial fluid
a serous fluid that fills the space between the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium and helps to reduce friction.
111
pericardial sac
a thick fibrous membrane that surrounds the heart; also called the pericardium.
112
pericardiocentesis
a life-saving procedure to correct cardiac tamponade, in which a needle is inserted into the pericardial sac to remove excess fluid that is restricting the heart from expanding and contracting properly.
113
pericarditis
infection of inflammation of the pericardial membranes, resulting in severe chest pain.
114
pericardium
a thick fibrous membrane that surrounds the heart; also called the pericardial sac.
115
phlebitis
inflammatory condition involving veins; often associated with thrombus formation within the vein.
116
plasma
an enzyme that dissolves the fibrin in blood clots.
117
platelets
small cells in the blood that are essential for clot formation.
118
polarized state
the state of the resting cell, which normally has a net negative charge with respect to the outside of the cell.
119
pons
the mass of nerve fibers at the end of the medulla oblongata.
120
popliteal artery
a continuation of the femoral artery at the lower thigh.
121
politeal vein
the vein that forms when the anterior and posterior tiial veins unite at the knee.
122
P-R segment
a flat line or electrical pause that follows the P wave in the normal electrical conduction pattern and represents the time delay that occurs within the atrioventricular node.
123
pulmonary circulation
the circulatory system in the body that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, and back to the left side of the heart.
124
pulmonary embolism
a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when an embolus travels from one part of the body (typically the legs) to the lungs, blocking blood flow to a portion of the lung.
125
pulmonic valve
the semilunar valve that regulates blood flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.
126
QRS complex
the second positive waveform that follows the P-R segment in the normal electrical conduction pattern and represents the depolarization of the ventricles. This complex corresponds to ventricular contraction, or systole.
127
Raynaud's phenomenon
spasms that develop in the digital arteries, particularly following emotional stress or cold exposure, resulting in white and cool fingertips.
128
relative refractory period
the latter phase of repolarization in which the cells are able to respond to a stronger-than-normal stimulus.
129
repolarization
the process of returning to the cardiac cells' resting or polarized state that occurs once the cardiac cells depolarize.
130
rheumatic fever
an acute condition that affects children and young adults and may result in permanent damage to the aortic and mitral valves.
131
saphenous vein
the longest vein in the body, it drains the leg, thigh, and dorsum of the foot.
132
semilunar valves
the two valves, the oartic and pulmonic calves, that divide the heart from the aorta and pulmonary artery.
133
serous pericardium
the inner membrane of the pericardium, which contains two layers called the visceral pericardium and parietal pericardium.
134
sinoatrial (SA) node
the normal site of the origin of electrical impulses; located high in the right atrium, it is the heart's natural pacemaker.
135
sinusoids
a part of the hepatic portal system in which blood collects within the liver and the liver cells extract nutrients from the blood, filter the blood, and metabolize various drugs.
136
sodium-potassium pump
a molecular (ion-transporting) mechanism whereby sodium is actively moved out of a cell and potassium moved in.
137
ST segment
the second pause that occurs in the normal electrical conduction pattern and represents the beginning of reploarization of the heart.
138
stroke volume
the amount of blood that the left ventricle ejects into the aorta per contraction.
139
subclavian artery
the proximal part of the main artery of the arm, which supplies the brain, neck, anterior chest wall, and shoulder.
140
subclavian vein
the proximal part of the main vein of the arm, which unites with the internal jugular vein.
141
superior vena cava
one of two major large veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart via the right atrium. Blood from the upper body is returned to the heart by the superior vena cava.
142
systemic circulation
the circulatory system in the body that is responsible for blood flow in all areas of the body, except for areas covered by the pulmonary circulation.
143
systole
contraction of the ventricular mass with its concomitant pumping of blood into the system circulation.
144
T wave
the third positive waveform in the normal electrical conduction pattern; it represents the completion of repolarization.
145
thrombi
blood clots.
146
thrombin
an enzyme that causes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, which binds to the platelet plug, forming the final mature vein.
147
tibial veins
a continuation of the veins of the feet that unite at the knee to form the popliteal vein, which then drains into the femoral vein.
148
tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)
a major component in the fibrinolytic system, in which clots that have already formed are lysed or disrupted, converting plasminogen to plasmin.
149
tricuspid valve
the heart calve that separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.
150
tinuca adventitia
the outer layer of tissue of a blood vessel wallm composed of elastic and fibrous connective tissue.
151
tinuca intima
the smooth, thin, inner lining of a blood vessel.
152
tunica media
the middle and thickest layer of tissue of a blood vessel wall, composed of elastic tissue and smooth muscle cells that allow the vessel to expand or contract in response to changes in blood pressure and tissue demand.
153
veins
the blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart.
154
venous sinuses
spaces between the membranes surrounding the brain that are the primary means of venous drainage from the brain.
155
ventricle
one of the two lower chambers of the heart that pumps blood out of the heart.
156
visceral layer
the layer of the serous pericardium that lies closely against the heart; also called the epicardium.
