Medical Terminology Flashcards

Cardiovascular Terminology

• Aneurysm: Ballooning of an artery wall at a weak point.
• Angina Pectoris: Chest pain due to temporary loss of oxygenated blood to heart muscle; often caused by narrowed coronary arteries.
• Aorta: The body's largest artery, vital for transporting oxygen-rich blood.
• Aortic Semilunar Valve: Valve exiting the left ventricle into the aorta, essential for blood flow.
• Arteries: Blood vessels responsible for carrying blood away from the heart.
• Atherosclerosis: Condition characterized by fatty plaques building up on artery walls, leading to reduced blood flow.
• Atrial Diastole: Phase of the cardiac cycle where the atria relax and fill with blood.
• Atrial Fibrillation: Abnormal heart rhythm marked by rapid and irregular twitching of atrial muscles.
• Atrial Systole: The contraction of the atria, pushing blood into the ventricles.
• AV Node: Electrical impulse receiver from the SA node, triggering ventricular contraction.
• Basophils: A type of white blood cell involved in inflammatory responses and allergy reactions.
• Bicuspid Valve (Mitral Valve): Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle that ensures one-way blood flow.
• Bradycardia: Condition of a slow heart rate, defined as under 60 beats per minute.
• Bundle of HIS: Specialized muscle fibers that serve as an electrical bridge between atria and ventricles.
• CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft): Surgical procedure using a vein from the leg to bypass obstructed coronary arteries.
• Capillaries: Smallest blood vessels where nutrient and fluid exchange occurs between blood and tissues.
• Cardiac Output: Measures the volume of blood pumped by the ventricles in one minute, indicating heart efficiency.
• Coronary Arteries: Two arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle itself, crucial for cardiac function.
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Blood clot formation in deep veins, commonly in legs or thighs.
• Defibrillator: Device that delivers an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm in cases of arrhythmia.
• Deoxygenated Blood: Blood that has lost oxygen, requiring reoxygenation through the lungs.
• Diastole: Phase when the heart muscles relax, allowing chambers to fill with blood.
• Diastolic Pressure: Blood pressure in the arteries during heart relaxation phases.
• Embolus: Circulating foreign object (e.g., clot, air bubble) in the bloodstream that can cause blockages.
• Endocardium: Inner lining of the heart that facilitates smooth blood flow.
• Epicardium: Outermost layer of the heart, providing protection.
• Erythrocytes: Red blood cells responsible for oxygen transportation to body tissues.
• Heart Rate: Count of heartbeats per minute, varying with physical activity, stress, or illness.
• Hemoglobin: Iron-rich protein in red blood cells that binds and carries oxygen.
• Hypertension: Condition of consistently high blood pressure, typically at or above 140/90 mm Hg.
• Inferior Vena Cava: Vein carrying deoxygenated blood from lower body regions into the right atrium.
• Interatrial Septum: Wall separating the left and right atria, preventing mixed blood flow.
• Interventricular Septum: Thick wall dividing right and left ventricles, ensuring proper blood direction.
• Ischemia: Insufficient blood flow to a tissue or organ, leading to oxygen deprivation.
• Left Atrium: Chamber of the heart receiving oxygenated blood from pulmonary veins.
• Left Ventricle: Chamber that pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta for systemic circulation.