Module 11 AI cards Flashcards
What is the primary function of the heart?
Pumps blood into the arteries of the systemic and pulmonary circulation
The heart is a vital organ that circulates blood throughout the body.
What are the receiving chambers of the heart called?
Atria (singular atrium)
The atria receive blood returning to the heart from the body and lungs.
What are the pumping chambers of the heart?
Ventricles
The ventricles pump blood out of the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.
What is the combining form for blood vessels?
Angi(o)-, vas(o)-, vascul(o)-
These forms relate to the structure and function of blood vessels.
What is the primary function of arteries?
Transport blood away from the heart
Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues.
What is the primary function of veins?
Transport blood back to the heart
Veins carry deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart.
What are capillaries?
Microscopic vessels that are the site of the exchange of gases, nutrients, water, and waste products inside the tissue
Capillaries connect arterioles and venules, facilitating exchange at the cellular level.
What does systemic circulation do?
Carries blood from the heart to all the organs and tissues of the body, except for the lungs, and back to the heart
This is the major circulation pathway for delivering oxygen and nutrients.
What does pulmonary circulation do?
Carries blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart
This circulation is essential for oxygenating blood.
What is the normal size of the heart?
Approximately the size of a fist
The heart’s size can vary somewhat between individuals.
What is the average weight of the heart?
9-10 ounces
The weight may differ based on individual factors such as body size.
What is the purpose of the pericardium?
Protects and anchors the heart
The pericardium consists of a tough outer layer and a lining that reduces friction.
What are the three layers of the heart wall?
Epicardium, myocardium, endocardium
Each layer has specific structural and functional roles.
What separates the right and left atria?
Interatrial septum
This septum prevents mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
What separates the right and left ventricles?
Interventricular septum
This septum also prevents mixing of blood between the ventricles.
What are the two atrioventricular valves called?
Tricuspid valve (right) and bicuspid/mitral valve (left)
These valves ensure one-way blood flow from the atria to the ventricles.
What are the names of the semilunar valves?
Pulmonary valve (right) and aortic valve (left)
These valves prevent backflow into the ventricles after blood is ejected.
What is the function of coronary circulation?
Supplies the heart muscle with blood, oxygen, and nutrients
This circulation is crucial for the heart’s own blood supply.
What is the main pacemaker of the heart?
Sinoatrial node (SA node)
The SA node regulates the heart’s rhythm and pace.
What is the function of the atrioventricular (AV) node?
Slows down the electrical signal before passing it to the ventricles
This delay allows the atria to fully contract before the ventricles begin to contract.
What does an electrocardiogram (ECG) measure?
The electrical activity of the heart
ECGs provide vital information about heart rhythm and function.
What does the P wave in an ECG represent?
The SA node sending signals to the AV node
This wave indicates atrial depolarization.
What does the QRS complex in an ECG depict?
The spreading of the signal throughout the muscle cells of the interventricular septum and the ventricles
This complex represents ventricular depolarization.
What does the T wave in an ECG indicate?
The muscle cells of the ventricles and septum resetting themselves for the next signal
This wave corresponds to ventricular repolarization.