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Cardiovascular System

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Term
Definition
aorta   largest artery of the body; vessel through which oxygenated blood exits the heart  
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aortic valve   valve between the aorta and the left ventricle  
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arteriole   a tiny artery connecting to a capillary  
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artery   a thick-walled blood vessel that, in systemic circulation, carries oxygenated blood away from the heart  
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atrioventricular bundle   bundle of fivers in the inter ventricular septum that transfers charges in the heart's conduction system; also called bundle of His  
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atrioventricular (AV) node   specialized part of the interatrial septum that sends a charge to the bundle of His  
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atrioventricular valve   one of two valves that control blood flow between the atria and ventricles  
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atrium (p. atria)   either of the two upper chambers of the heart  
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bicuspid valve   atrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart  
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blood   essential fluid made up of plasma & other elements that circulates throughout the body; delivers nutrients to and removes waste from the body's cells  
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blood pressure   measure of the force of blood surging against the walls of the arteries  
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blood vessel   any of the tubular passageways in the cardiovascular system through which blood travels  
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bundle of His   *see atrioventricular bundle  
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capillary   the smallest blood vessel that forms the exchange point between the arterial and venous vessels  
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carbon dioxide   waste material transported in the venous blood  
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cardiac cycle   repeated contraction and relaxation of the heart as it circulates blood within itself and pumps it out to the rest of the body or the lungs  
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cardiovascular   Relating to or affecting the heart and blood vessels.  
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carotid artery   artery that transports oxygenated blood to the head and neck  
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conduction system   part of the heart containing specialized tissue that sends electrical charges through heart fibers, causing the heart to contract and relax at regular intervals  
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coronary artery   blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart  
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depolarization   contracting state of the myocardial tissue in the heart's conduction system  
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diastole   relaxation phase of a heartbeat  
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ductus arteriousus   structure in the fetal circulatory system through which blood flows to bypass the fetus's nonfunctioning lungs  
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ductus venosus   structure in the fetal circulatory system through which blood flows to bypass the fetal liver  
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endocardium   membranous lining of the chambers and valves of the heart; the innermost layer of heart tissue  
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endothelium   lining of the arteries that secretes substances into the blood  
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epicardium   outermost layer of heart tissue  
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femoral artery   an artery that supplies blood to the thigh  
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foramen ovale   opening in the septum of the fetal heart that closes at birth  
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heart   muscular organ that receives blood from the veins and sends it into the arteries  
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inferior vena cava   large vein that draws blood from the lower part of the body to the right atrium  
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left atrium   upper left heart chamber  
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left ventricle   lower left heart chamber  
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lumen   channel inside an artery through which blood flows  
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mitral valve   *see bicuspid valve  
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myocardium   muscular layer of heart tissue between the epicardium and the endocardium  
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pacemaker   term for the sinoatrial (SA) node; also, an artificial device that regulates heart rhythm  
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pericardium   protective covering of the heart  
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polarization   resting state of the myocardial tissue in the conduction system of the heart  
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popliteal artery   an artery that supplies blood to the cells of the area behind the knee  
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pulmonary artery   one of two arteries that carry blood that is low in oxygen from the heart to the lungs  
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pulmonary valve   valve that controls the blood flow between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries  
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pulmonary vein   one of four veins that bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium  
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pulse   rhythmic expansion and contraction of a blood vessel, usually an artery  
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repolarization   recharging state; transition from contraction to resting that occurs in the conduction system of the heart  
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right atrium   upper right chamber of the heart  
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right ventricle   lower right chamber of the heart  
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saphenous vein   any of a group of veins that transport deoxygenated blood from the legs  
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semilunar valve   one of the two valves that prevent the back flow of blood flowing out of the heart into the aorta and the pulmonary artery  
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septum (p. septa)   partition between the left and right chambers of the heart  
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sinoatrial (SA) node   region of the right atrium containing specialized tissue that sends electrical impulses to the heart muscle, causing it to contract  
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sinus rhythm   normal heart rhythm  
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super vena cava   large vein that transports blood collected from the upper part of the body to the heart  
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systole   contraction phase of the heartbeat  
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tricuspid valve   atrioventricular valve on the right side of the heart  
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valve   any of various structures that slow or prevent fluid from flowing backward or forward  
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vein   any of various blood vessels carrying deoxygenated blood toward the heart, except the pulmonary vein  
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vena cava (p. venae cavae)   *see superior vena cava & inferior vena cava  
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ventricle   either of the two lower chambers of the heart  
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venule   a tiny vein connecting to a capillary  
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angiocardiography   viewing of the heart and its major blood vessels by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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angiography   viewing of the heart's major blood vessels by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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aortography   viewing of the aorta by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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arteriography   viewing of a specific artery by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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auscultation   process of listening to body sounds via a stethoscope  
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cardiac catheterization   process of passing a thin catheter through an artery or vein to the heart to take blood samples, inject a contrast medium, or measure various pressures  
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cardiac enzyme tests/studies   blood tests for determining levels of enzymes during a myocardial infarction; serum enzyme tests  
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cardiac MRI   viewing of the heart by magnetic resonance imaging  
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cardiac scan   process of viewing the heart muscle at work by scanning the heart of a patient into whom a radioactive substance has been injected  
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cholesterol   fatty substance present in animal fats; cholesterol circulates int the bloodstream, sometimes causing arterial plaque to form  
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digital subtraction angiography   use of two angiograms done with different dyes to provide a comparison between the results  
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doppler ultrasound   ultrasound test of blood flow in certain blood vessels  
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echocardiography   use of sound waves to produce images showing the structure and motion of the heart  
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ejection fraction   percentage of the volume of the contents of the left ventricle ejected with each contraction  
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electrocardiography   use of the electrocardiograph in diagnosis  
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holter monitor   portable device that provides a 24-hour electrocardiogram  
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lipid profile   laboratory test that provides the levels of lipids, triglycerides, and other substances in the blood  
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multiple-gated acquisition (MUGA) angiography   radioactive scan showing heart function  
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phlebography   viewing of a vein by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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positron emission tomography (PET) scan   type of nuclear image that measures movement of areas of the heart  
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serum enzyme tests   laboratory tests performed to detect enzymes present during or after a myocardial infarction; cardiac enzyme studies  
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sonography   production of images based on the echoes of sound waves against structures  
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sphygmomanometer   device for measuring blood pressure  
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stress test   test that measures heart rate, blood pressure, and other body functions while the patient is exercising on a treadmill  
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triglyceride   fatty substance; lipid  
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venography   viewing of a vein by x-ray after injection of a contrast medium  
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ventriculogram   x-ray of a ventricle taken after injection of a contrast medium  
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aneurysm   ballooning of the artery wall caused by weakness in the wall  
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angina   angina pectoris  
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angina pectoris   chest pain, usually caused by a lowered oxygen or blood supply to the heart  
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aortic regurgitation   backward flow or leakage of blood through a faulty aortic valve  
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aortic stenosis   narrowing of the aorta  
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arrhythmia   irregularity in the rhythm of the heartbeat  
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arteriosclerosis   hardening of the arteries  
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arteritis   inflammation of an artery or arteries  
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asystole   cardiac arrest  
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atheroma   a fatty deposit (plaque) in the wall of an artery  
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atherosclerosis   hardening of the arteries caused by the buildup of atheromas  
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atrial fibrillation   an irregular, usually rapid, heartbeat caused by overstimulation of the AV node  
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atrioventricular block   heart block; partial or complete blockage of the electrical impulses from the atrioventricular node to the ventricles  
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bacterial endocarditis   bacterial inflammation of the inner lining of the heart  
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bradycardia   heart rate of fewer then 60 beats per minute  
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bruit   sound or murmur, especially an abnormal heart sound heard on auscultation, especially of the carotid artery  
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cardiac arrest   sudden stopping of the heart; also called asystole  
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cardiac tamponade   compression of the heart caused by fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac  
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cardiomyopathy   disease of the heart muscle  
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claudication   limping caused by inadequate blood supply during activity; usually subsides during rest  
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coarctation of the aorta   abnormal narrowing of the aorta  
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congenital heart disease   heart disease (usually a type of malformation) that exists at birth  
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constriction   compression or narrowing caused by contraction, as of a vessel  
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coronary artery disease   condition that reduces the flow of blood and nutrients through the arteries of the heart  
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cyanosis   bluish or purplish coloration, as of the skin, caused by inadequate oxygenation of the blood  
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deep vein thrombosis   formation of a thrombus (clot) in a deep vein, such as a femoral vein  
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dysrhythmia   abnormal heart rhythm  
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embolus   mass of foreign material blocking a vessel  
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endocarditis   inflammation of the endocardium, especially an inflammation caused by a bacterial or fungal agent  
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essential hypertension   high blood pressure without any known cause  
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fibrillation   random, chaotic, irregular heart rhythm  
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flutter   regular but very rapid heartbeat  
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gallop   triple sound of a heartbeat, usually indicative of serious heart disease  
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heart block   *see atrioventricular block  
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hemorrhoid   varicose condition of veins in the anal region  
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high blood pressure   *see hypertension  
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hypertension   chronic condition with blood pressure greater than 140/90  
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hypertensive heart disease   heart disease caused, or worsened, by high blood pressure  
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hypotension   chronic condition with blood pressure below normal  
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infarct   area of necrosis caused by a sudden drop in the supply of arterial or venous blood  
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infarction   sudden drop in the supply of arterial or venous blood, often due to an embolus or thrombus  
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intermittent claudication   attacks of limping, particularly in the legs, due to ischemia of the muscles  
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intracardiac tumor   a tumor within one of the heart chambers  
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ischemia   localized blood insufficiency caused by an obstruction  
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low blood pressure   *see hypotension  
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mitral insufficiency / reflux   backward flow of blood due to a damaged mitral valve  
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mitral stenosis   abnormal narrowing at the opening of the mitral valve  
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mitral valve prolapse   backward flow of blood into the left atrium due to protrusion of one or both mitral cusps into the left atrium during contractions  
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murmur   soft heart humming sound heard between normal beats  
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myocardial infarction   sudden drop in the supply of blood to an area of the heart muscle, usually due to a blockage in a coronary artery  
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myocarditis   inflammation of the myocardium  
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necrosis   death of tissue or an organ part due to irreversible damage; usually a result of oxygen deprivation  
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occlusion   the closing of a blood vessel  
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palpitations   uncomfortable pulsations of the heart felt as a thumping in the chest  
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patent ductus arteriosus   a condition at birth in which the ductus arteriousus, a small duct between the aorta and the pulmonary artery, remains abnormally open  
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perfusion deficit   lack of flow through a blood vessel, usually caused by an occlusion  
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pericarditits   inflammation of the pericardium  
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peripheral vascular disease   vascular disease in the lower extremities, usually due to the blockages in the arteries of the groin or legs  
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petechiae   minute hemorrhages in the skin  
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phlebitis   inflammation of a vein  
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plaque   buildup of solid material, such as a fatty deposit, on the lining of an artery  
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premature atrial contractions (PACs)   atrial contractions that occur before the normal impulse; can be the cause of palpitations  
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premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)   ventricular contractions that occur before the normal impulse; can be the cause of palpitations  
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pulmonary artery stenosis   narrowing of the pulmonary artery, preventing the lungs from receiving enough blood from the heart to oxygenate  
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pulmonary edema   abnormal accumulation of fluid in the lungs  
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raynaud's phenomenon   spasm in the arteries of the fingers causing numbness or pain  
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rheumatic heart disease   heart valve and/or muscle damage caused by an untreated streptococcal infection  
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risk factor   any of various factors considered to increase the probability that a disease will occur; for example, high blood pressure and smoking are considered risk factors for heart disease  
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rub   frictional sound heard between heartbeats, usually indication a pericardial murmur  
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secondary hypertension   hypertension having a known cause, such as kidney disease  
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septal defect   congenital abnormality consisting of an opening in the septum between the atria or ventricles  
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stenosis   narrowing, particularly of blood vessels or of the cardiac valves  
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tachycardia   heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute  
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tetralogy of fallot   set of four congenital heart abnormalities appearing together that cause deoxygenated blood to enter the systemic circulation: ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, incorrect position of the aorta, and rich ventricular hypertrophy  
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thrombophlebitis   inflammation of a vein with a thrombus  
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thrombosis   presence of a thrombus in a blood vessel  
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thrombotic occlusion   narrowing caused by a thrombus  
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thrombus   stationary blood clot in the cardiovascular system, usually formed from matter found in the blood  
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tricuspid stenosis   abnormal narrowing of the opening of the tricuspid valve  
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valvulitis   inflammation of a heart valve  
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varicose vein   dilated, enlarged, or twisted vein, usually on the leg  
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vegetation   clot on a heart valve or opening, usually caused by infection  
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anastomosis   surgical connection of two blood vessels to allow blood flow between them  
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angioplasty   opening of a blocked blood vessel, as by balloon dilation  
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angioscopy   viewing of the interior o f a blood vessel using a fiberoptic catheter inserted or threaded into the vessel  
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arteriotomy   surgical incision into an artery, especially to remove a clot  
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atherectomy   surgical removal of an atheroma  
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balloon catheter dilation   insertion of a balloon catheter into a blood vessel to open the passage so blood can flow freely  
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balloon valvuloplasty   procedure that uses a balloon catheter to open narrowed orifices in cardiac valves  
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bypass   a structure (usually a vein graft) that creates a new passage for blood flow from one artery to another artery or part of an artery; used to create a detour around blockages in the arteries  
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cardiopulmonary bypass   procedure used during surgery to divert blood flow to and from the heart through a heart- lung machine and back into circulation  
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coronary angioplasty   *see angioplasty  
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coronary bypass surgery   *see bypass  
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embolectomy   surgical removal of an embolus  
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endarterectomy   surgical removal of the diseased portion of the lining of an artery  
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endovascular surgery   any of various procedures performed during cardiac catheterization, such as angioscopy and atherectomy  
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fontan's operation   surgical procedure that creates a bypass from the right atrium to the main pulmonary artery; fontal's procedure  
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graft   any tissue or organ implanted to replace or mend damaged areas  
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heart transplant   implantation of the heart of a person who has just died into a person whose diseased heart cannot sustain life  
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hemorrhoidectomy   surgical removal of hemorrhoids  
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intravascular stent   stent placed within a blood vessel to allow blood to flow freely  
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percutaneous trans luminal coronary angioplasty   *see balloon catheter dilation  
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phlebotomy   drawing blood from a vein via a small incision  
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stent   surgically implanted devices used to hold something (as a blood vessel) open  
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thrombectomy   surgical removal of a thrombus  
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valve replacement   surgical replacement of a coronary valve  
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valvotomy   incision into a cardiac valve to remove an obstruction  
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valvuloplasty   surgical reconstruction of a cardiac valve  
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venipuncture   small puncture into a vein, usually to draw blood or inject a solution  
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