Unit 5 Flashcards
(110 cards)
What are the 5 functions of the circulatory system?
- Carries nutrients
- Carries hormones
- Distributes heat
- Regulates body fluid levels
- Provides immunity (defense)
What is the direction of blood flow in the circulatory system?
Heart → artery → arteriole → capillary → venule → vein
What is the function of arteries?
Arteries carry blood away from the heart and have thick, muscular walls.
What are arterioles?
Small arteries that can change diameter through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
What is vasoconstriction?
The decrease in vessel diameter, making them narrower.
What is vasodilation?
The increase in vessel diameter, making them wider.
What is the role of the precapillary sphincter?
Regulates blood flow from arterioles into capillaries.
What are capillaries?
The smallest blood vessels, one cell thick, where diffusion occurs.
What are venules?
Small veins that carry blood from capillaries to veins.
What is the function of veins?
Veins carry blood back to the heart and have thin, smooth muscular walls with one-way valves.
What is the septum?
The muscle that separates the two sides of the heart.
What is cardiac muscle?
The muscle found in the heart, also called myogenic muscle.
What does pulmonary refer to?
Relating to the lungs.
What is the blood flow sequence through the heart?
Superior/inferior vena cava → Right atrium → Pulmonary veins → Left atrium → Tricuspid/AV valve → Semilunar valves → Right/left pulmonary artery → Lungs
What is the left ventricle’s role?
It is the most muscular heart chamber, responsible for pumping blood to the body.
What is the function of the AV valve?
Prevents the backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria.
What is the function of the semilunar valve?
Prevents the backflow of blood from the arteries to the ventricles.
What is the coronary artery?
It supplies blood to the heart.
What is the cardiac cycle?
One heartbeat.
What occurs during systole?
The heart (ventricles) contracts, AV valves close, producing the ‘lubb’ sound.
What occurs during diastole?
The heart (ventricles) relaxes, semilunar valves close, producing the ‘dubb’ sound.
What is an electrocardiograph?
A record of the heartbeat.
What does systemic refer to?
Relating to the body.
What does portal refer to?
Relating to the liver.