Circulation: The Cardiovascular And Lymphatic System

Front 1

aorta

Back 1

the largest artery; receives blood from the left ventricle and branches to all parts of the body (root: aort/o)

Front 2

aortic valve

Back 2

the valve at the entrance to the aorta

Front 3

apex

Back 3

the point of a cone-shaped structure; apex of the heart is formed by left ventricle and pointed inferior and left

Front 4

artery

Back 4

vessel that carries blood away from the heart; all arteries except pulmonary and umbilical carry oxygenated blood (root: arter, arteri/o)

Front 5

arteriole

Back 5

a small vessel that carries blood from arteries into capillaries (root: arteriol/o)

Front 6

atrioventricular (AV) node

Back 6

a small mass in the lower septum of the right atrium that passes impulses from the sinoatrial (SA) node toward the ventricles

Front 7

atrioventricular (AV) valve

Back 7

a valve between the atrium and ventricle on the right and left sides of the heart; right AV valve is tricuspid valve, left is mitral valve

Front 8

atrium

Back 8

entrance chamber, one of the two upper receiving chambers of the heart (root: atri/o)

Front 9

AV bundle

Back 9

band of fibers that transmits impulses from the atrioventricular (AV) node to the top of the interventricular septum; divides into right and left bundle branches, which descend along the two sides of the septum; also called the bundle of His

Front 10

blood pressure

Back 10

the force exerted by blood against the wall of a vessel

Front 11

bundle branches

Back 11

branches of the AV bundle that divide to the right and left sides of the interventricular septum

Front 12

capillary

Back 12

microscopic blood vessel through which materials are exchanged between the blood and the tissues

Front 13

cardiovascular system

Back 13

the part of the circulatory system that consists of the heart and the blood vessels

Front 14

depolarization

Back 14

a change in electrical charge from the resting state in nerves or muscles

Front 15

diastole

Back 15

the relaxation phase of the heartbeat cycle (adjective: diastolic)

Front 16

electrocardiography (ECG)

Back 16

study of the electrical activity of the heart as detected by electrodes (leads) placed on the surface of the body; also abbreviated EKG from German electrokardiography

Front 17

endocardium

Back 17

the thin membrane that lines the chambers of the heart and covers the valves

Front 18

epicardium

Back 18

the thin outermost layer of the heart wall

Front 19

functional murmur

Back 19

any sound produced as the heart functions normally

Front 20

heart

Back 20

the muscular organ with four chambers that contracts rhythmically to propel blood through vessels to all parts of the body (root: cardi/o)

Front 21

heart rate

Back 21

number of times the heart contracts per minute; recorded as beats per minute (bpm)

Front 22

heart sounds

Back 22

sounds produced as the heart function; two loudest sounds are produced by alternate closing of the valves and are designated S1 and S2

Front 23

inferior vena cava

Back 23

the large inferior vein that brings blood low in oxygen back to the right atrium of the heart from the lower body

Front 24

left AV valve

Back 24

the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle; the mitral valve or bicuspid valve

Front 25

mitral valve

Back 25

the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle; the left AV valve or bicuspid valve

Front 26

myocardium

Back 26

the thick middle layer of the heart wall composed of cardiac muscle

Front 27

pericardium

Back 27

the fibrous sac that surrounds the heart

Front 28

pulmonary artery

Back 28

the vessel that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs

Front 29

pulmonary circuit

Back 29

the system of vessels that carries blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs to be oxygenated and then back to the left side of the heart

Front 30

pulmonary veins

Back 30

the vessels that carry blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart

Front 31

pulmonary valve

Back 31

the valve at the entrance to the pulmonary artery

Front 32

pulse

Back 32

the wave of increased pressure produced in the vessels each time the ventricles contract

Front 33

Purkinje fibers

Back 33

the terminal fibers of the cardiac conducting system; carry impulses through the walls of the ventricles

Front 34

repolarization

Back 34

return of an electrical charge to the resting state in nerves or muscles

Front 35

right AV valve

Back 35

valve between the right atrium and right ventricle; tricuspid valve

Front 36

septum

Back 36

wall dividing two cavities, such as two chambers of the heart

Front 37

sinus rhythm

Back 37

normal heart rhythm

Front 38

sinoatrial (SA) node

Back 38

small mass in the upper part of the right atrium that initiates the impulse for each heartbeat; the pacemaker

Front 39

sphygmomanometer

Back 39

instrument for determining arterial blood pressure (root sphygm/o means "pulse"); blood pressure apparatus or cuff

Front 40

superior vena cava

Back 40

the large superior vein that brings blood low in oxygen back to the right atrium from the upper body

Front 41

systemic circuit

Back 41

the system of vessels that carries oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart to all tissues except the lungs and returns deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart

Front 42

systole

Back 42

contraction phase of the heartbeat cycle (adjective: systolic)

Front 43

valve

Back 43

structure that keeps fluid flowing in a forward direction (root: valv/o, valvul/o)

Front 44

vein

Back 44

vessel that carries blood back to the heart; all veins except pulmonary and umbilical carry blood low in oxygen (root: ven/o, phleb/o)

Front 45

ventricle

Back 45

small cavity; one of the two lower pumping chambers of the heart (root: ventricul/o)

Front 46

venule

Back 46

small vessel that carries blood from capillaries to veins

Front 47

vessel

Back 47

tube or duct to transport fluid (root: angi/o, vas/o, vascul/o)

Front 48

cardi/o

Back 48

heart

Front 49

atri/o

Back 49

atrium

Front 50

ventricul/o

Back 50

cavity, ventricle

Front 51

valv/o, valvul/o

Back 51

valve

Front 52

angi/o

Back 52

vessel

Front 53

vas/o, vascul/o

Back 53

vessel, duct

Front 54

arter/o, arteri/o

Back 54

artery

Front 55

arteriol/o

Back 55

arteriole

Front 56

aort/o

Back 56

aorta

Front 57

ven/o, ven/i, phleb/o

Back 57

vein

Front 58

aneurysm

Back 58

localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, usually an artery, caused by weakness of the vessel wall; may eventually burst

Front 59

angina pectoris

Back 59

feeling of constriction around the heart or pain that may radiate to the left arm or shoulder, usually brought on by exertion; caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart

Front 60

arrhythmia

Back 60

any abnormality in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat; also called dysrhythmia

Front 61

arteriosclerosis

Back 61

hardening of the arteries, with loss of capacity and loss of elasticity, from fatty deposits (plaque), deposit of calcium salts, or scar tissue formation

Front 62

atherosclerosis

Back 62

development of fatty, fibrous patches (plaques) in the lining of arteries, causing narrowing of the lumen and hardening of the vessel wall; most common form of arteriosclerosis (root: ather/o meaning "porridge" or "gruel")

Front 63

bradycardia

Back 63

slow heart rate, less than 60 bpm

Front 64

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Back 64

sudden damage to the brain resulting from reduction of blood flow; causes include atherosclerosis, embolism, thrombosis, or hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm; commonly called stroke

Front 65

clubbing

Back 65

enlargement of the ends of fingers and toes caused by growth or soft tissue around the nails; seen in a variety of diseases in which there is poor peripheral circulation

Front 66

coarctation of the aorta

Back 66

localized narrowing of the aorta with restriction of blood flow

Front 67

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Back 67

protein produced during systemic inflammation, which may contribute to atherosclerosis; high CRP levels can indicate cardiovascular disease and its prognosis

Front 68

cyanosis

Back 68

bluish discoloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen

Front 69

deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Back 69

thrombophlebitis involving the deep veins

Front 70

diaphoresis

Back 70

profuse sweating

Front 71

dissecting aneurysm

Back 71

aneurysm in which blood enters the arterial wall and separates the layers; usually involved the aorta

Front 72

dyslipidemia

Back 72

disorder in serum lipid levels, which is an important factor in development of atherosclerosis; includes hyperlipidemia (high lipids), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and hypertriglyceridemia (high triglycerides)

Front 73

dyspnea

Back 73

difficult or labored breathing

Front 74

edema

Back 74

swelling of body tissues caused by the presence of excess fluid; causes include cardiovascular disturbances, kidney failure, inflammation, and malnutrition

Front 75

embolism

Back 75

obstruction of a blood vessel by a blood clot or other matter carried in the circulation

Front 76

embolus

Back 76

mass carried in the circulation; usually a blood clot, but also may be air, fat, bacteria, or other solid matter from within or outside the body

Front 77

fibrillation

Back 77

spontaneous, quivering, and ineffectual contraction of muscle fibers, as in the atria or ventricles

Front 78

heart block

Back 78

interference in the electrical conduction system of the heart resulting in arrhythmia

Front 79

heart failure

Back 79

condition caused by the inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation

Front 80

hemorrhoid

Back 80

varicose vein in the rectum

Front 81

hypertension

Back 81

condition of higher-than-normal blood pressure; essential (primary, idiopathic) hypertension has no known cause

Front 82

infarct

Back 82

area of localized tissue necrosis resulting from a blockage or narrowing of the artery that supplies the area

Front 83

ischemia

Back 83

local deficiency of blood supply caused by circulatory obstruction (root: hem/o)

Front 84

murmur

Back 84

abnormal heart sound

Front 85

myocardial infarction

Back 85

localized necrosis of cardiac muscle tissue resulting from blockage or narrowing of the coronary artery that supplies that area; usually caused by formation of a thrombus (clot) in a vessel

Front 86

occlusion

Back 86

closing off or obstruction, as of a vessel

Front 87

patent ductus arteriosus

Back 87

persistence of the ductus arteriosus after birth; ductus arteriosus is a vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the descending aorta in the fetus to bypass the lungs

Front 88

phlebitis

Back 88

inflammation of a vein

Front 89

plaque

Back 89

a patch; with regard to cardiovascular system, a deposit of fatty material and other substances on a vessel wall that impeded blood flow and may block the vessel; atheromatous plaque

Front 90

rheumatic heart disease

Back 90

damage to heart valves after infection with group A hemolytic streptococcus; antibodies produced in response to infection produce valvular scarring (usually involves mitral valve)

Front 91

septal defect

Back 91

opening in the septum between the atria or ventricles; common cause is persistence of foramen oval, an opening between the atria that bypasses the lungs in fetal circulation

Front 92

shock

Back 92

circulatory failure resulting in an inadequate blood supply to the tissues; cardiogenic shock is caused by heart failure, hypovolemic shock is caused by loss of blood volume, septic shock is caused by bacterial infection

Front 93

stenosis

Back 93

constriction or narrowing of an opening

Front 94

syncope

Back 94

temporary loss of consciousness caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain; fainting

Front 95

tachycardia

Back 95

abnormally rapid heart rate, usually over 100 bpm

Front 96

thrombophlebitis

Back 96

inflammation of a vein associated with formation of a blood clot

Front 97

thrombosis

Back 97

development of a blood clot within a vessel

Front 98

thrombus

Back 98

blood clot that forms within a blood vessel (root: thromb/o)

Front 99

varicose vein

Back 99

twisted and swollen vein resulting from breakdown of the valves, pooling of blood, and chronic dilatation of the vessel (root: varic/o), also called varix or varicosity

Front 100

ablation

Back 100

removal or destruction; cardiac ablation - catheter is used to destroy a portion of the heart's conduction pathway to correct an arrhythmia

Front 101

angioplasty

Back 101

procedure that reopens a narrowed vessel and restores blood flow; involves surgical removal of plaque, inflating a balloon within the vessel, or installing a stent to keep the vessel open

Front 102

artificial pacemaker

Back 102

a battery-operated device that generates electrical impulses to regulate the heartbeat; may be external or implanted, designed to respond to need, have the capacity to prevent tachycardia

Front 103

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Back 103

restoration of cardiac output and pulmonary ventilation after cardiac arrest using artificial respiration and chest compression or cardiac massage

Front 104

cardioversion

Back 104

correction of an abnormal cardiac rhythm; may be accomplished pharmacologically, with antiarrhythmic drugs, or by application of electric current (defibrillation)

Front 105

coronary angiography

Back 105

radiographic study of the coronary arteries after introduction of an opaque dye by means of a catheter threaded through blood vessels into the heart

Front 106

coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Back 106

surgical creation of a shunt to bypass a blocked coronary artery; the aorta is connected to a point past the obstruction with another vessel or a piece of another vessel, usually the left internal mammary artery or part of the leg's saphenous vein

Front 107

coronary calcium scan (heart scan)

Back 107

method for visualizing vessel-narrowing calcium deposits in coronary arteries; useful for diagnosing coronary artery disease in people at moderate risk or those who have undiagnosed chest pain

Front 108

creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)

Back 108

enzyme released in increased amounts from cardiac muscle cells following myocardial infarction (MI); serum assays help diagnose MI and determine extent of muscle damage

Front 109

CT angiography

Back 109

computed tomography scan used to visualize vessels in the heart and other organs; requires only a small amount of dye injected in the arm

Front 110

defibrillation

Back 110

use of electronic device (defibrillator) to stop fibrillation by delivering a brief electric shock to the heart via either the surface of the chest (AED) or into the heart through wire leads

Front 111

echocardiography

Back 111

noninvasive method that uses ultrasound to visualize internal cardiac structures

Front 112

lipoprotein

Back 112

compound of protein with lipid; classified according to density (VLDL - very low density, LDL - low density, HDL - high density); higher levels of HDLs are correlated with cardiovascular health

Front 113

percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

Back 113

dilatation of a sclerotic blood vessel by means of a balloon catheter inserted into the vessel and then inflated to flatten plaque against the arterial wall

Front 114

stent

Back 114

a small metal device in the shape of a coil or slotted tube that is placed inside an artery to keep the vessel open after balloon angioplasty

Front 115

stress test

Back 115

evaluation of physical fitness by continuous ECG monitoring during exercise; thallium stress test involved a radioactive isotope of thallium administered to trace blood flow through the heart during exercise

Front 116

troponin (Tn)

Back 116

protein in muscle cells that regulates contraction; increased serum levels, primarily in the forms TnT and TnI, indicate recent myocardial infarction

Front 117

appendix

Back 117

small, finger-like mass of lymphoid tissue attached to first part of large intestine

Front 118

lymph

Back 118

thin, plasma-like fluid that drains from the tissues and in transported in lymphatic vessels (root: lymph/o)

Front 119

lymph node

Back 119

small mass of lymphoid tissue along the path of a lymphatic vessel that filters lymph (root: lymphaden/o)

Front 120

lymphatic system

Back 120

system that drains fluid and proteins from the tissues and returns them to the bloodstream; participates in immunity and aids in absorption of fats from the digestive tract

Front 121

Peyer patches

Back 121

aggregates of lymphoid tissue in the lining of the intestine

Front 122

right lymphatic duct

Back 122

lymphatic duct that drains fluid from the body's upper right side

Front 123

spleen

Back 123

large reddish-brown organ in the upper left region of the abdomen; filters blood and destroys old red blood cells (root: splen/o)

Front 124

thoracic duct

Back 124

lymphatic duct that drains fluid from the upper left side of the body and all of the lower body; left lymphatic duct

Front 125

thymus

Back 125

lymphoid organ in the upper part of the chest beneath the sternum; functions in immunity (root: thym/o)

Front 126

tonsils

Back 126

small masses of lymphoid tissue located in regions of the throat (pharynx)

Front 127

lymph/o

Back 127

lymph, lymphatic system

Front 128

lymphaden/o

Back 128

lymph node

Front 129

lymphangi/o

Back 129

lymphatic vessel

Front 130

splen/o

Back 130

spleen

Front 131

thym/o

Back 131

thymus

Front 132

tonsil/o

Back 132

tonsil

Front 133

lymphadenitis

Back 133

inflammation and enlargement of lymph nodes, usually as a result of infection

Front 134

lymphangitis

Back 134

inflammation of lymphatic vessels as a result of bacterial infection; appears as painful red streaks under the skin (also spelled lymphangiitis)

Front 135

lymphedema

Back 135

swelling of tissues with lymph caused by obstruction of excision of lymphatic vessels

Front 136

lymphoma

Back 136

any neoplastic disease of lymphoid tissue

Front 137

apical pulse

Back 137

pulse felt or heard over the heart's apex; measured in the fifth left intercostal space about 8-9 cm from the midline

Front 138

cardiac output

Back 138

amount of blood pumped from the right or left ventricle per minute

Front 139

Korotkoff sounds

Back 139

arterial sounds heard with a stethoscope during determination of blood pressure with a cuff

Front 140

perfusion

Back 140

passage of fluid, such as blood, through an organ or tissue

Front 141

precordium

Back 141

anterior region over the heart and lower part of the thorax

Front 142

pulse pressure

Back 142

difference between systolic and diastolic pressure

Front 143

stroke volume

Back 143

amount of blood ejected by left ventricle with each beat

Front 144

Valsalva maneuver

Back 144

bearing down, as in childbirth or defecation, by attempting to exhale forcefully with the nose and throat closed; has an effect on the cardiovascular system

Front 145

bruit

Back 145

abnormal sound heard in auscultation

Front 146

cardiac tamponade

Back 146

pathologic accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac; may result from pericarditis or injury to the heart or great vessels

Front 147

ectopic beat

Back 147

heartbeat that originates from some part of the heart other than the SA node

Front 148

extrasystole

Back 148

premature heart contraction that occurs separately from normal beat and originates from part of the heart other than the SA node

Front 149

flutter

Back 149

very rapid (200-300 bpm) but regular contractions, as in the atria or ventricles

Front 150

hypotension

Back 150

condition of lower-than-normal blood pressure

Front 151

intermittent claudication

Back 151

pain in a muscle during exercise caused by inadequate blood supply; pain disappears with rest

Front 152

mitral valve prolapse

Back 152

movement of the mitral valve cusps into the left atrium when the ventricles contract

Front 153

occlusive vascular disease

Back 153

arteriosclerotic disease of the vessels, usually peripheral vessels

Front 154

palpitation

Back 154

sensation of abnormally rapid or irregular heartbeat

Front 155

pitting edema

Back 155

edema that retains the impression of a finger pressed firmly into the skin

Front 156

polyarteritis nodosa

Back 156

potentially fatal collagen disease causing inflammation of small visceral arteries; symptoms depend on the organ affected

Front 157

Raynaud disease

Back 157

disorder characterized by abnormal constriction of peripheral vessels in the arms and legs on exposure to cold

Front 158

regurgitation

Back 158

backward flow, such as the backflow of blood through a defective valve

Front 159

stasis

Back 159

stoppage of normal flow, as of blood or urine; blood stasis may lead to dermatitis and ulcer formation

Front 160

subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)

Back 160

bacterial growth in a heart or valves previously damaged by rheumatic fever

Front 161

tetralogy of Fallot

Back 161

combination of four congenital heart abnormalities: pulmonary artery stenosis, interventricular septal defect, displacement of the aorta to the right, and right ventricular hypertrophy

Front 162

thromboangiitis obliterans

Back 162

inflammation and thrombus formation resulting in occlusion of small vessels, especially in the legs; most common in young men and correlated with heavy smoking; may lead to gangrene of the feet; hypersensitivity to tobacco; also called Buerger disease

Front 163

vegetation

Back 163

irregular bacterial outgrowths on the heart valves; associated with rheumatic fever

Front 164

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW)

Back 164

cardiac arrhythmia consisting of tachycardia and a premature ventricular beat caused by an alternative conduction pathway

Front 165

cardiac catheterization

Back 165

passage of a catheter into the heart through a vessel to inject a contrast medium for imaging, diagnosis, obtaining samples, or measuring pressure

Front 166

central venous pressure (CVP)

Back 166

pressure in the superior vena cava

Front 167

cineangiocardiography

Back 167

photographic recording of fluoroscopic images of the heart and large vessels using motion picture techniques

Front 168

Doppler echocardiography

Back 168

imaging method used to study the rate and pattern of blood flow

Front 169

Holter monitor

Back 169

portable device that can record from 24 hours to one month of an individual's ECG readings during normal activity

Front 170

homocysteine

Back 170

amino acid in the blood that at higher-than-normal levels is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Front 171

phlebotomist

Back 171

technician who specializes in drawing blood

Front 172

phonocardiography

Back 172

electronic recording of heart sounds

Front 173

plethysmography

Back 173

measurement of changes in the size of a part based on the amount of blood contained in or passing through it

Front 174

pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP)

Back 174

pressure measured by a catheter in a branch of the pulmonary artery; indirect measure of pressure in left atrium

Front 175

radionuclide heart scan

Back 175

imaging of the heart after injection of a radioactive isotope

Front 176

Swan-Ganz catheter

Back 176

cardiac catheter with a balloon at the tip used to measure pulmonary arterial pressure; flow guided through vein into right side of the heart and into the pulmonary artery

Front 177

transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)

Back 177

use of an ultrasound transducer placed endoscopically into the esophagus to obtain images of the heart

Front 178

triglycerides

Back 178

simple fats that circulate in the bloodstream

Front 179

ventriculography

Back 179

X-ray study of the heart's ventricles after introduction of an opaque dye by means of a catheter

Front 180

atherectomy

Back 180

removal of atheromatous plaque from the lining of a vessel; may be done by open surgery or through vessel's lumen

Front 181

commissurotomy

Back 181

surgical incision of a scarred mitral valve to increase the size of the valvular opening

Front 182

embolectomy

Back 182

surgical removal of an embolus

Front 183

intraaortic balloon pump (IABP)

Back 183

mechanical assist device that consists of an inflatable balloon pump inserted through the femoral artery into the thoracic aorta; inflates during diastole to improve coronary circulation and deflates before systole to allow blood ejection from the heart

Front 184

left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

Back 184

pump that takes over the left ventricle's function in delivering blood into the systemic circuit; used to assist patients awaiting heart transplantation or recovering from heart failure

Front 185

angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Back 185

drug that lowers blood pressure by blocking the formation of angiotensin II, a substance that normally increases blood pressure

Front 186

angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)

Back 186

drug that blocks tissue receptors for angiotensin II; angiotensin II receptor antagonist

Front 187

antiarrhythmic agent

Back 187

drug that regulates the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat

Front 188

beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Back 188

drug that decreases the rate and strength of heart contractions; beta-blocker

Front 189

calcium-channel blocker

Back 189

drug that controls the rate and force of heart contraction by regulating calcium entrance into the cells

Front 190

digitalis

Back 190

drug that slows and strengthens heart muscle contractions

Front 191

diuretic

Back 191

drug that eliminates fluid by increasing the kidneys' output of urine; lowered blood volume decreases the heart's workload

Front 192

hypolipidemic agent

Back 192

drug that lowers serum cholesterol

Front 193

lidocaine

Back 193

local anesthetic that is used intravenously to treat cardiac arrhythmias

Front 194

loop diuretic

Back 194

drug that increases urine output by inhibiting electrolyte reabsorption in the kidney nephrons (loops)

Front 195

nitroglycerin

Back 195

drug used in the treatment of angina pectoris to dilate coronary vessels

Front 196

statins

Back 196

drugs that act to lower lipids in the blood; drug names end with -statin

Front 197

streptokinase (SK)

Back 197

enzyme used to dissolve blood clots

Front 198

tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

Back 198

drug used to dissolve blood clots; activates production of plasmin (substance in the blood that normally dissolves clots)

Front 199

vasodilator

Back 199

drug that widens blood vessels and improves blood flow