- Circulatory anatomy:
Know the anatomy of the heart (chambers, valves, etc.) and major blood vessels.
- Heart physiology:
Know the relation between cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate.
Know also how the cardiac cycle is controlled.
- Blood vessels:
Know the differences between arteries and veins, including the exceptions.
Also know the vocabulary terms listed below.
- Cardiovascular development:
Know how the circulatory system develops, including
changes that need to occur at birth.
- Cardiovascular health and disease:
Know the major cardiovascular disorders listed below.
Also know some general ways to promote cardiovascular health.
- VOCABULARY TO KNOW:
THIS LIST IS UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND MAY EXPAND
Atrium: one of the smaller, more cranial chambers of the heart
Ventricle: one of the larger, more caudal chambers of the heart
Sinoatrial (SA) node ("pacemaker"): location, on the surface of the right atrium, where the
heart rhythm is generated.
Atrioventricular (AV) node: secondary center, located where the atria and ventricles meet, from which the
heart's impulse spreads to the Purkinje fibers and venticles.
Purkinje fibers (bundle of His): Specialized fibers that conduct the heart's impulse downward through the
interventricular septum.
Arteries: blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart.
Veins: blood vessels carrying blood away from an organ, generally moving towards the heart.
Portal veins: veins carrying blood to another organ first rather than directly to the heart.
Capillaries: small, thin-walled vessels connecting arteries and veins.
Thoroughfare channels: vessels connecting arteries and veins directly, bypassing a capillary bed.
Collateral circulation: local circulation via multiple routes, allowing blood to reach important structures even
if one vessel is blocked.
Stroke volume: the blood volume (in liters) pumped during each stroke or heartbeat.
Heart rate: the number of heartbeats per minute.
Cardiac output: the blood volume (in liters) pumped by the heart each minute, equal to the heart rate times stroke volume.
Systole: maximum contraction of the ventricles.
Diastole: maximum expansion (and miniomum pressure) of the ventricles.
Foramen ovale: opening in the fetal heart between the right and left atria.
Ductus arteriosus: fetal shunt diverting blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta; it must close at birth.
Arteriosclerosis: "hardening of the arteries" through loss of elasticity and buildup of collagen.
Atherosclerosis: partial clogging of the arteries through the buildup of fatty deposits.
Coronary heart disease: impairment or blockage of circulation to the heart muscle through the coronary arteries.
Stroke: death of part of the brain through impairment of its blood supply.
Pericardium: membranous lining of the outside of the heart.
Myocardium: muscular layer of the heart (the thickest layer).
Myocardial infarction: death of a portion of the myocardium, usually as the result of coronary heart disease.
Hypertension: high blood pressure sustained over time.
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