MT CH 10 Flashcards
(44 cards)
What is the main function of the cardiovascular system?
To transport blood throughout the body
It includes the heart and blood vessels.
Define aorta
The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart
It is the main vessel that branches into smaller arteries.
What is the role of the aortic valve?
To prevent backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle
It opens to allow blood to flow out of the heart.
What is an artery?
A vessel that carries blood away from the heart
All except pulmonary and umbilical arteries carry oxygenated blood.
What is an arteriole?
A small vessel that carries blood from the arteries into the capillaries
It plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow.
What is the function of the atrioventricular (AV) node?
To pass impulses from the sinoatrial (SA) node toward the ventricles
It is located in the lower septum of the right atrium.
What do the atrioventricular (AV) valves do?
Separate the atria from the ventricles
The right AV valve is the tricuspid valve, and the left is the mitral valve.
What is an atrium?
One of the two upper receiving chambers of the heart
The root for atrium is ‘atrio’.
What is the AV bundle?
A band of fibers that transmits impulses from the AV node to the interventricular septum
It divides into the right and left bundle branches.
What is blood pressure?
The force exerted by blood against the wall of a vessel
It is a critical measurement in assessing cardiovascular health.
What are bundle branches?
Branches of the AV bundle that divide to the right and left sides of the interventricular septum
They play a role in conducting electrical impulses.
What is a capillary?
A microscopic blood vessel through which materials are exchanged between the blood and tissues
Capillaries connect arterioles and venules.
What is the epicardium?
The thin outermost layer of the heart wall
It is also known as the visceral layer of the serous pericardium.
What is the endocardium?
The thin membrane that lines the chambers of the heart and covers the valves
It provides a smooth surface for blood flow.
Define depolarization.
A change in electrical charge from the resting state in nerves or muscles
It is essential for the conduction of electrical impulses in the heart.
What is diastole?
The relaxation phase of the heartbeat cycle
The adjective form is diastolic.
What is electrocardiography (ECG)?
The study of the electrical activity of the heart as detected by electrodes placed on the surface of the body
It is also abbreviated as EKG from the German term.
What is a functional murmur?
Any sound produced as the heart functions normally
Not all murmurs indicate a problem.
What is the heart rate?
The number of times the heart contracts per minute; recorded as beats per minute (bpm)
What are heart sounds?
Sounds produced as the heart functions; the two loudest sounds are produced by alternate closing of the valves and are designated S1 and S2
What is the inferior vena cava?
The large inferior vein that brings blood low in oxygen back to the right atrium of the heart from the lower body
What is the left AV valve also known as?
Mitral valve or bicuspid valve
What is the myocardium?
The thick middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle
What is the pericardium?
The fibrous sac that surrounds the heart
