The cardiovascular system composes the heart, blood vessels and
blood. These organs function to provide oxygenated blood to the whole body and
maintain tissue perfusion. Any defect in heart or the blood vessels will impair
the optimal delivery of oxygenated blood to the different organs of the body.
Atrium (ai-tre-um) = is the upper chamber of the heart where the
blood enters.
Ventricle (ven-tri-kl) = is the lower chamber of the heart where
the blood is collected and pushed out.
Tricuspid valve (trai-kus-pid valv) = is a valve consisting of
three flaps. It is located between the right atrium and right ventricle. It is
also called the right atrioventricular valve.
Pulmonary valve (pul-mo-ner-e valv) = is a valve consisting of
three cusps. It is located between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.
Mitral valve (mai-tral valv) = is a valve with two flaps. It is
located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. It is also called
bicuspid valve or left atrioventricular valve.
Aortic valve (ai-or-tik valv) = is a valve that has three
leaflets. It is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
Endocardium (en-do-kar-de-um) = is the innermost layer of the
heart.
Myocardium (mai-o-kar-de-um) = is the middle layer consisting of
cardiac muscles.
Pericardium (per-i-kar-de-um) = is the outermost layer
consisting of double layered membrane that covers the heart.
Sinoatrial node (sai-no-ae-tre-al nod) = is a tissue that
generates impulses. It is located in the right atrium of the heart. It is also
called the pacemaker of the heart.
Atrioventricular node (ae-tre-o-ven-trik-u-lar nod) = is a
tissue that coordinate impulses between the atrium and the ventricle. It is
located between the atria and ventricles
of the heart.
Bundle of His (bun-dl of his) = is tissue that transmits
impulses from the atrioventricular node to the Purkinje fibers.
Purkinje fiber = is a fiber that generates electrical impulses
to the ventricle. It is located in the inner ventricular walls of the heart.
The blood with a low oxygen level from the different parts of
the body goes to the heart through the venae cavae. The venae cavae are the
largest veins in the body. It is composed of two branches; superior and
inferior vena cava. The blood from the upper part of the body flows to the
superior vena cava while blood from the lower part of the body flows to the
inferior vena cava. The bloods from the venae cavae enter the heart through the
right atrium. Next it passes the tricuspid valve to the right ventricle. From
there, the blood is pumped out. It passes the pulmonary valve to the pulmonary
artery and into the lungs. This is where the low oxygen level blood obtains
oxygen through the exchange of gases in the capillaries. The air sacs of the
lungs are connected to these capillaries. Diffusion enables exchange of the
gases carbon dioxide and oxygen. After the blood gets oxygenated, it travels
back to the heart through the pulmonary vein and into the left atrium. It then
passes the mitral valve to the left ventricle. From the left ventricle, the
oxygenated blood is pumped to the aortic valve and into the aorta to be
distributed to the different parts of the body.
Aorta (ae-or-ta) = the largest artery in the human body. It
carries oxygenated blood.
Artery (ar-te-re) = a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood
away from the heart.
Arteriole (ar-te-re-ol) = is a small artery that connects to a
capillary.
Capillary (kap-i-lar-e) = is the smallest of all the blood
vessels, which allows movement of substances and gases through its thin walls.
Pulmonary artery (pul-mo-ner-e ar-ter-e) = is an artery that
carries poorly oxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.
Pulmonary vein (pul-mo-ner-e vaen) = id a vein that carries
oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
Vein (vaen) = is a blood vessel that carries poorly oxygenated
blood from the tissues into the heart.
Vena cava (ve-na ka-va) = the largest vein in the human body. It
is composed of the inferior and superior vena cavae, which carry deoxygenated
blood from the different parts of the body and into the right atrium of the
heart.
Diastole (dai-as-to-le) = a period when the heart refills with
blood and when the ventricles are relaxing.
Systole (sis-to-le) = is a period when the ventricle of the
heart is contracting.
Vasoconstriction (vaz-o-kon-strik-shun) = is the narrowing of a
blood vessel due to the contraction of its muscles.
Vasodilation (vaz-o-dai-lae-shun) = is the widening of the blood
vessel due to the relaxation of its muscles.
You can find out more about these medical terminologies in my book "Medical Terminology: A Guide for Nurses, Medical Assistants, Other Healthcare Professionals and Well Informed Patients". It is available in 2 formats; paperback and kindle @ Amazon.com. Link :
http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Terminology-Assistants-Healthcare-Professionals/dp/148206832X
**Please write a review after reading the book. Thank you.
See you next time.
Solomon Barroa, R.N.
Home Health Nurse and Medical Author
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