CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

STRUCTURES OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

• HEART: hollow, muscular organ located between the lungs. The main
function of the heart is to pump blood through the blood vessels.
• Blood provides the body with oxygen and nutrients, as well as assisting in
the removal of metabolic waste.
• Two major circuits: SYSTEMIC VS PULMONARY
• The HEART is enclosed by the PERICARDIAL SAC (parietal and visceral
layer). PERICARDIAL EFFUSION. PERICARDITIS
• The walls of the HEART are:
– EPICARDIUM
– MYOCARDIUM: thickest layer. The coronary arteries supply O2.
– ENDOCARDIUM
 The chambers of the HEART
The receiving chambers are ………
The pumping chambers are ………

BICUSPID V.
ATRIA
(MITRAL
VALVE) BICUSPID V.

The atria are separated by…..

Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.
The ventricles are separated by ….
ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY OF THE HEART

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 BLOOD FLOW
• The RIGHT ATRIUM receives oxygen-poor/deoxygenated blood from all
tissues, (except the lungs), through the superior and inferior venae cavae
• The RIGHT VENTRICLE pumps the venous blood to the pulmonary artery,
which carries it to the lungs.
• The LEFT ATRIUM receives the oxygen rich blood/oxygenated from the
lungs through four pulmonary veins.
• The LEFT VENTRICLE receives arterious blood from the left atrium. Blood
flows out of the LV, into the aorta, which carries it to all parts of the body.

CAPILLARIES

ARTERIOLES VENULES

ARTERIES VEINS
 PATHOLOGY OF THE
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
ATHEROESCLEROSIS
•Is hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol
plaque on the interior walls of the arteries.
•The plaque can protrude outward into the lumen of the vessel or protrude
inward into the wall of the vessel. (Lumen: is the opening within the vessels
through which the blood flows.)
•An atheroma, which is a characteristic of atherosclerosis, is a deposit of
plaque on or within the arterial wall

Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.

Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.
 CARDIOPULMONARY RESUCITATION
CPR

Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.

 VOCABULARY
• ECG/EKG: study of the electrical activity of the heart.
• Diastole: relaxation phase of the heart cycle.
• Systole: contraction of the heart by which the blood flow is forced out of the chambers.
• Asystole: absence of a heart beat.
• Intermittent claudication: muscle pain during exercise.
• Avascular: lack of blood vessels.
• Cardiology: Medical field that includes the medical diagnosis and treatment of congenital
heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and
electrophysiology. Cardiologist: Physician who specializes in CARDIOLOGY.
• Vascular surgery: Medical field that includes the surgical treatment of heart and blood
vessel disease. Vascular surgeon: physician who specializes in VASCULAR SURGERY.
• Aneurysm: localized dilatation of a blood vessel.
• Pacemaker: artificial device for stimulating the heart muscle and regulating its
contraction.
LYMPHATIC AND IMMUNE SYSTEM
The lymphatic system performs three
primary functions
Absorbing lipids and fat-soluble
vitamins from the small intestine.
Removing waste from the tissues.
Immune system surveillance.
The lymphatic system does not have a
pump-like organ. Instead, lymph must
depend on help from the movements of
nearby muscles and blood vessels to aid in
its flow.
Lymph is filtered by lymph nodes located
along the lymphatic vessels throughout the
body.

CERVICAL-AXILLARY-INGUINAL Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.

 LYMPHATIC CIRCULATION
LYMPHATIC CAPILLARIES are
microscopic, blind-ended
vessels
The RIGHT LYMPHATIC DUCT collects
lymph from the right side of the head
and neck, the upper right quadrant of
the body and the right arm. The right
lymphatic duct empties into the RIGHT
SUBCLAVIAN VEIN.
Lymph flows from the
lymphatic capillaries to larger
LYMPHATIC VESSELS. (valves
to prevent the backward flow)
The THORACIC DUCT, which is the largest
lymphatic vessel in the body, collects
lymph from the left side of the head and
neck, the upper left quadrant of the trunk,
the left arm, and the entire lower portion
of the trunk and both legs. The thoracic
duct empties into the LEFT SUBCLAVIAN
VEIN.
 SPECIALIZED LYMPHOID ORGANS

TONSILS lymphoid tissue that form a protective

ring around the upper respiratory tract.
Tonsillitis. Tonsillectomy

THYMUS: within the thymus T cells

mature. Most active during neonatal
and pre-adolescent periods. Located in
the anterior superior mediastinum.

PEYER PATCHES lymphoid tissues

located on the walls of the ileum.

SPLEEN
Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.
 SPECIALIZED LYMPHOID ORGANS
SPLEEN: saclike mass of lymphoid tissue
located in the left upper quadrant of the
abdomen.
It is responsible for initiating immune
reaction to blood-born antigens and
filtering the blood of foreign material and
old RBC.
Red pulp/white pulp

LYMPH NODES serve two major functions

in the body. They filter lymph and assist
the immune system in building an immune
response.

Medical Terminology for health professions 6th edition.

 LYMPHEDEMA
Swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues.

– PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA is a hereditary disorder due to malformation

of the lymphatic system. This condition, which can appear at any time
in life, most commonly produces swelling in the feet and legs.

– SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA is caused by damage to the lymphatic

system that most commonly produces swelling in the limb nearest to
the damaged lymphatic vessels. Cancer treatment (surgery,
chemotherapy, and/or radiation) and trauma (burns, injuries, and
scarring) are the most frequent causes of this condition.
 VOCABULARY
• Pathogens: disease-producing microorganisms. (bacteria, viruses, fungus,
parasites) Treatment: antibiotic, antiviral, antimycotic, antiparasitic.
• Allergens: substances that produce allergic reactions.
• Toxins: poisonous or harmful substances.
• Malignant cells: potentially life-threatening cancer cells.
• Immunoglobulin: bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody
response. The five primary types of immunoglobulins, which are secreted
by plasma cells, are also known as antibodies. Ig. A, G, E, M, D
• Vaccination: also known as immunization.
• Lymphadenopathy: also known as swollen glands, is an inflammation of
the lymph nodes
 LEARNING EXCERCISES
1. The fibrous sac around the heart is called:
2. The right atrioventricular valve is called:
3. The bicuspid valve is also called:
4. The myocardium receives its blood supply from the:
5. The inner lining of the heart is called:
6. The protective ring of lymphoid tissue surrounding the internal openings
of the nose and mouth is formed by:
7. Inflammation of the tonsils is known as
8. Name three locations of lymph nodes:
9. Define lumen:
10. T or F: An atherosclerotic carotid artery can cause a stroke.