Question | Answer |
Anterior vena cava | Vein that delivers blood from the anterior part of the body into the right atrium |
Antibody | A protein that is released by a type of white blood cell in response to the presence of foreign antigens |
Antigen | A substance capable of stimulating the release of antibodies |
Aorta | The largest artery of the body conducts oxygenated blood out of the left ventricle |
Arterial duct | Fetal artery that connects the pulmonary trunk to the aorta thus allowing some blood to bypass the nonfunctional lungs |
Atrioventricular valve | Large valves that allow blood to pass from the atria to the ventricles of the heart |
Atrioventricular node (AV) | One of two pieces of nodal tissue in the heart; is under the influence of impulses from the SA node. Generates impulses that travel to the ventricles |
Blood pressure | The force that blood exerts on blood vessel walls |
Capillary- tissue fluid exchange | The exchange of fluid materials between blood in a capillary and extra-cellular fluids in tissues as the blood travels through a capillary bed |
Carotid artery | A branch of the aorta conducting blood to the head |
Chordae tendineae | Small tendons which attach the AV valves to muscular extensions from the inside walls of the ventricles |
Coronary artery | Blood vessels that serve the heart muscle |
Coronary vein | A set of veins that conduct blood from the heart tissue to the vena cavae as it enters the right atrium. |
Diastolic pressure | The pressure that blood exerts outwards on the walls of arteries when the heart is not contracting |
Hepatic portal vein | The major vein that takes nutrient-rich blood from from the small intestines to the liver |
Hepatic vein | The major vein that conducts blood from the liver back into the inferior vena cava |
Hypertension | High blood pressure |
Hypotension | Low blood pressure |
Iliac artery | The major artery of the legs |
Iliac vein | The major vein of the legs |
Jugular vein | The veins that conduct blood from the head down the neck |
Left atrium | Chamber that receives blood from the pulmonary vein and passes it to the left ventricle |
Left ventricle | A chamber in the heart that pumps the blood to the body |
Lymph capillaries | These capillaries absorb the fluids that become lymph |
Lymph node | A spot along lymph ducts, usually where two or more ducts join together |
Lymphatic system | The system that is made up of all the vessels and nodes that transport and clean lymph |
Mesenteric artery | The blood vessel that conducts blood to the intestines |
Oval opening | A valve allowing blood to pass from the right ventricle of a fetal heart into the left ventricle |
Plasma | The fluid portion of blood; mostly water (91%) |
Platelets | A type of blood cell formed by the fragmentation of a megakaryotype; function for blood clotting |
Posterior vena cava | The major vein that drains the blood from the body regions posterior to the heart |
Pulmonary arteries | The arteries that conduct blood to the right and left lungs |
Pulmonary trunk | Conducts blood out of the right ventricle |
Pulmonary veins | Conduct blood from the lungs to the left atrium |
Purkinje fibres | These are nerve tracts that extend down the septum of the heart and out into the walls of the ventricle |
Red blood cell | These cells contain hemoglobin which transports oxygen |
Renal artery | The artery that is a branch of the aorta and conducts blood into the kidney |
Renal vein | The vein that conducts blood out of a kidney and into the posterior vena cava |
Sinoatrial node (SA) | Called the pace maker of the heart |
Subclavian artery | These are branches of the aorta that take blood to the body walls and shoulder areas |
Subclavian vein | These returns the blood to the superior vena cava which conducts blood right back to the right atrium |
Systolic pressure | The force of the blood outwards on the arteries when the ventricles are contracting |
Systemic circulation | The part of the circulatory system that delivers oxygenated blood to the body cells |
Umbilical artery | Takes waste products from the fetus to the placenta |
Umbilical vein | Takes nutrients from the placenta to the fetus |
Veins | A blood vessel that returns blood towards the heart |
Venous duct | A vessel that bypasss the functions of the liver |
White blood cell | A type of blood cell that combats infection |