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Cardiovascular System - Vocabulary

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Question
Answer
aorta   largest artery in the body.  
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arteriole   small artery.  
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artery   largest type of blood vessel; carries blood "a"way from the heart to all parts of the body.  
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atrioventricular bundle (bundle of His)   specialized muscle fibers connecting the atria with the ventricles and transmitting electrical impulses between them.  
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atrioventricular node (AV node)   specialized tissue in the wall between the atria. electrical impulses pass from the pacemaker (SA node) through the AV node and the atrioventricular bundle or bundle of His toward the ventricles.  
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atrium pl-atria   one of two upper chambers of the heart.  
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capillary   smallest blood vessel. materials pass to and from the bloodstream through the thin capillaries walls.  
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carbon dioxide (CO2)   gas (waste) released by body cells, transported via veins to the heart, and then to the lungs for exhalation.  
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coronary arteries   blood vessels that branch from the aorta and carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.  
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deoxygenated blood   blood that is oxygen-poor.  
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diastole   relaxation phase of the heartbeat.  
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electrocardiogram   record of the electricity flowing through the heart. the electricity is represented by waves or deflections called P, QRS, or T.  
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endocardium   innermost lining of the heart.  
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endothelium   innermost lining of the blood vessels.  
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mitral valve   valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle; bicuspid valve.  
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murmur   abnormal swishing sound caused by improper closure of the heart valves.  
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myocardium   muscular, middle layer of heart.  
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normal sinus rhythm   heart rhythm originating in the sinoatrial node with a resting rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.  
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oxygen   gas that enters the blood through the lungs and travels to the heart to be pumped via arteries to all body cells.  
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pacemaker (sinoatrial node)   specialized nervous tissue in the right atrium that begins the heartbeat. an artificial cardiac pacemaker is an electronic apparatus implanted in the chest to stimulate heart muscle that is weak and not functioning.  
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pericardium   double-layered membrane surrounding the heart.  
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pulmonary artery   artery carrying oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs.  
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pulmonary circulation   flow of blood from the heart to the lungs and back to the heart.  
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pulmonary valve   valve positioned between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.  
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pulmonary vein   one of the two pairs of vessels carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart.  
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pulse   beat of the heart as felt through the walls of the arteries.  
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septum pl-septa   partition or wall dividing a cavity; such as between the right and left atria (interatrial septum) and right and left ventricles (interventricular septum).  
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sinotrial node (SA node)   pacemaker of the heart.  
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sphygmomanometer   instrument to measure blood pressure.  
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systemic circulation   flow of blood from body tissue to the heart and then from the heart back to body tissues.  
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systole   contracting phase of the heartbeat.  
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tricuspid valve   located between the right atrium and the right ventricle; it has three (tri-) leaflets, or cusps.  
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valve   structure in veins or in the heart that temporarily closes an opening so that blood flows in only one direction.  
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vein   thin-walled vessel that carries blood from body tissues and lungs back to the heart. veins contain valve to prevent backflow of blood.  
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vena cava pl-venae cavae   largest vein in the body. the superior and inferior venae cavae return blood to the right atrium of the heart.  
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ventricle   one of two lower chambers of the heart.  
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venule   small vein.  
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acute coronary   unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack), which are consequences of plaque rupture in coronary arteries.  
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angina (pectoris)   chest pain resulting from myocardial ischemia. stable angina occurs predictably with exertion; unstable angina is chest pain that occurs more often and with less exertion.  
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angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor   antihypertensive drug that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, causing blood vessels to dilate. it prevents heart attacks, CHF, stroke, and death.  
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auscultation   listening for sounds in blood vessels or other body structures, typically using a stethoscope.  
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beta-blocker   drug used to treat angina, hypertension, and arrythmias. it blocks the action of epinephrine (adrenaline) at receptor sites on cells, slowing the heartbeat and reducing the workload on the heart.  
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biventricular pacemaker   device enabling ventricles to beat together (in synchrony) so that more blood is pumped out of the heart.  
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bruit   abnormal blowing or swishing sound heard during auscultation of an artery or organ.  
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calcium channel   drug used to treat angina and hypertension. it dilates blood vessels by blocking the influx of calcium into muscle cells lining vessels.  
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cardiac arrest   sudden, unexpected stoppage of heart action; sudden cardiac death.  
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cardiac tamponade   pressure on the heart caused by fluid in the pericardial space.  
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claudication   pain, tension, and weakness in a leg after walking has begin, but absence of pain at rest.  
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digoxin   drug that treats arrhythmias and strengthens the heartbeat.  
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embolus pl-emboli   clot or other substance that travels to a distant location and suddenly blocks a blood vessel.  
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infarction   area of dead tissue.  
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nitrates   drugs used in the treatment of angina. they dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow and oxygen to myocardial tissue.  
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nitroglycerin   nitrate drug used in the treatment of angina.  
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occlusion   closure of a blood vessel due to blockage.  
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pericardial friction rub   scraping or grating noise heard on auscultation of the heart; suggestive of pericarditis.  
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petechiae   small, pinpoint, hemorrhages.  
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statins   drugs used to lower cholesterol in the bloodstream.  
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thrill   vibration felt over an area of turmoil in blood flow (as a blocked artery).  
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vegetations   clumps of platelets, clotting proteins, microorganisms, and red blood cells on diseased heart valves.  
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palpitations   uncomfortable sensations in the chest related to cardiac arrhythmias, such as premature ventricular contractions (PCVs).  
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patent   open.  
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