Heart

Question 1

What are the components of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 1

Heart, blood vessels, blood

These components work together to circulate blood throughout the body.

Question 2

Trace the movement of blood throughout the cardiovascular system.

Answer 2

From the heart to arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins, and back to the heart

This cycle ensures the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.

Question 3

What is the size and shape of the heart?

Answer 3

Approximately the size of a fist, conical shape

The heart is located in the thoracic cavity, between the lungs.

Question 4

Identify the layers of the pericardium.

Answer 4

Fibrous pericardium, serous pericardium

The serous pericardium has two layers: parietal and visceral.

Question 5

What are the 3 layers of the heart wall?

Answer 5

Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium

Each layer has distinct functions and structures.

Question 6

Identify key parts of the anatomy of the heart.

Answer 6

Atria, ventricles, valves, septa

These structures are crucial for the heart’s pumping action.

Question 7

What is the flow of blood through the chambers of the heart?

Answer 7

Right atrium → right ventricle → lungs → left atrium → left ventricle

This flow is essential for oxygenation of blood.

Question 8

What are key characteristics of cardiac muscle?

Answer 8

Striated, involuntary, interconnected

Cardiac muscle cells are connected by intercalated discs.

Question 9

Define intercalated discs.

Answer 9

Specialized connections between cardiac muscle cells

They facilitate electrical conduction and mechanical coupling.

Question 10

What are the properties of pacemaker cells?

Answer 10

Automaticity, rhythmicity

Pacemaker cells generate electrical impulses that initiate heartbeats.

Question 11

Map the electrical activity of the heart.

Answer 11

SA node → AV node → Bundle of His → Purkinje fibers

This pathway coordinates heart contractions.

Question 12

Differentiate between systole and diastole.

Answer 12

Systole: contraction phase; Diastole: relaxation phase

These phases are crucial for the cardiac cycle.

Question 13

What is sinus rhythm?

Answer 13

Normal heartbeat initiated by the SA node

It indicates proper functioning of the heart’s electrical system.

Question 14

What is nodal rhythm?

Answer 14

Heartbeat initiated by the AV node

This occurs when the SA node fails to function properly.

Question 15

Define spontaneous depolarization.

Answer 15

The gradual increase in membrane potential until threshold is reached

This process is essential for pacemaker activity.

Question 16

What is the purpose of ECG’s?

Answer 16

To measure and display the electrical activity of the heart

ECGs help diagnose various cardiac conditions.

Question 17

Identify abnormal ECG readings.

Answer 17

Arrhythmias, ST elevation, QRS widening

These abnormalities can indicate serious heart issues.

Question 18

Define cardiac cycle.

Answer 18

The sequence of events in one heartbeat

It includes all phases of heart contraction and relaxation.

Question 19

What are key variables of fluid dynamics?

Answer 19

Pressure, flow, resistance

These variables influence blood circulation.

Question 20

How is pressure measured in the cardiovascular system?

Answer 20

In mmHg using sphygmomanometers

Blood pressure is crucial for assessing cardiovascular health.

Question 21

What are S1 and S2 heart sounds?

Answer 21

S1: closing of AV valves; S2: closing of SL valves

These sounds are used to assess cardiac function.

Question 22

Identify phases of the cardiac cycle.

Answer 22

Atrial systole, ventricular systole, diastole

Each phase has distinct pressure and volume changes.

Question 23

What is the Wiggers diagram?

Answer 23

A graphical representation of cardiac cycle events

It illustrates pressure changes, heart sounds, and ECG.

Question 24

What do EDV, ESV, stroke volume, and ejection fraction represent?

Answer 24

EDV: End Diastolic Volume; ESV: End Systolic Volume; Stroke Volume: volume ejected per beat; Ejection Fraction: percentage of EDV ejected

These parameters assess heart efficiency.

Question 25

Define congestive heart failure.

Answer 25

A condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood ## Footnote It leads to fluid buildup in tissues.

Question 26

What are cardiac centers?

Answer 26

Nuclei in the medulla oblongata regulating heart function ## Footnote They control heart rate and rhythm.

Question 27

Map the sympathetic and parasympathetic pathways.

Answer 27

Sympathetic: increases heart rate; Parasympathetic: decreases heart rate ## Footnote These pathways balance heart function.

Question 28

What is the role of innervating nodal cells vs muscle?

Answer 28

Nodal cells: regulate heart rhythm; Muscle: contract for pumping ## Footnote This distinction is crucial for heart function.

Question 29

What components affect cardiac output?

Answer 29

Heart rate, stroke volume ## Footnote Cardiac output is the product of these two variables.

Question 30

What are positive and negative chronotropic agents?

Answer 30

Positive: increase heart rate; Negative: decrease heart rate ## Footnote These agents include hormones and neural influences.

Question 31

Define bradycardia.

Answer 31

Abnormally slow heart rate, typically below 60 bpm ## Footnote It can indicate cardiac issues or be a normal finding in athletes.

Question 32

Define tachycardia.

Answer 32

Abnormally fast heart rate, typically above 100 bpm ## Footnote It can result from stress, exercise, or pathology.

Question 33

What are inotropic agents?

Answer 33

Substances that affect the force of heart contractions ## Footnote Examples include positive inotropes like digoxin and negative inotropes.

Question 34

How does exercise affect cardiac output?

Answer 34

Increases cardiac output to supply more oxygen to muscles ## Footnote This is due to increased heart rate and stroke volume.

Question 35

Differentiate between the 3 categories of vessels.

Answer 35

Arteries, veins, capillaries ## Footnote Each category has distinct structures and functions in circulation.

Question 36

What are the different layers of blood vessels?

Answer 36

Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa ## Footnote These layers vary in thickness and composition among vessel types.

Question 37

What are the types of vessels?

Answer 37

Arteries, veins, capillaries, arterioles, venules ## Footnote Each type plays a specific role in circulation.

Question 38

What mechanisms are involved in venous return?

Answer 38

Muscle pump, respiratory pump, venous valves ## Footnote These mechanisms help return blood to the heart.

Question 39

Define circulatory shock.

Answer 39

A condition where blood flow is insufficient to meet tissue needs ## Footnote It can lead to organ failure and requires immediate treatment.

Question 40

Explain the relationship between blood pressure, resistance, and flow.

Answer 40

Blood flow = blood pressure / resistance ## Footnote This relationship is fundamental in understanding cardiovascular dynamics.

Question 41

How is blood pressure measured and expressed?

Answer 41

Measured in mmHg using sphygmomanometers ## Footnote Blood pressure readings consist of systolic and diastolic values.

Question 42

How is pulse pressure calculated?

Answer 42

Pulse pressure = systolic pressure - diastolic pressure ## Footnote It provides insight into cardiovascular health.

Question 43

What influences vessel diameter?

Answer 43

Local, neural, and hormonal factors ## Footnote Changes in diameter affect blood flow and pressure.