Cardiovascular System

Vocabulary Terms Minion (n)- a lackey; a follower devoted to serving his/her master. Façade (n)- the face or front of a person or building; a false,

superficial appearance To digress (v)- to deviate or stray from the main topic of

conversation. To dissent (v)- to disagree with the general opinion To acquiesce (v)- to comply or consent to something without

protest Aloof (adj)- to have a distant and/or cold personality Affable (adj)- someone who is friendly, approachable, easy-to-

speak with Altruistic (adj)- to be selfless and giving Salacious (adj)- leading to lustful or sinful thoughts

Blood Vessels Blood vessels (i.e. arteries, veins,

capillaries) are the system of “tubes” used to transmit: Blood, Hormones Electrolytes Sugar Pathogens (bacteria, etc)

Medical root for blood vessels or any tubes in the body is “Angio”

Components of Blood Blood

The “river of life,” the fluid that contains elements essential to life

You have about 1 gallon of blood Blood consists of 3 types of “cells” and the

fluid by which it moves. The following cells are called the Formed

Elements. 1. Thrombocytes (aka Platelets)

Help with clotting 2. Leukocytes (aka White Blood Cells)

They destroy pathogens 3. Erythrocytes (aka Red Blood Cells)

Transport Oxygen in the form of Hemoglobin and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as waste.

99% of formed elements are RBCs RBCs live 3 mos; later broken down by

Spleen Plasma

The Fluid by which these formed elements move.

Made mostly of water. Yellowish in color In the plasma moves hormones,

electrolytes, etc

General Concepts

Basic Terms The Heart

The pump that delivers blood throughout the body

Artery The “tubes” that carry

oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every cell in your body

Arteries later become arterioles, or smaller arteries.

General Concepts Capillaries

Arterioles become capillaries

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in the body (1 cell thick)

They deliver the oxygen-rich blood to cells

They then collect the “poop” of cellular waste (including Carbon Dioxide) and eventually become little veins called Venules

Veins Venules become Veins. These are the “tubes” that

carry the C02 waste back to the heart

The heart pushes the CO2 to the lungs to be exhaled and 02 to be inhaled.

Remember!!! Arteries take blood away from

heart Veins return it to heart

Heart

It is a pump that distributes blood to the entire body. Though it is one organ, it has

two separate pumps that do not interact with each Right Side Left Side The right and left side are

divided by a wall called a Septum.

The heart has 2 atria and 2 ventricles The atria collect blood The ventricles push the blood

to their respective destination.

Rt Side of the Heart

Main function of Rt-sided heart To send oxygen-poor

blood to the lungs Right Atrium

Collecting chamber that receives 0xygen-poor blood from the 2 main veins that return blood to the heart from the entire body Superior Vena Cava Inferior Vena Cava Coronary Sinus

Tricuspid Valve The door between the Right

Atrium and Rt Ventricle

Rt Side of Heart (Cont)

Right Ventricle Pushes oxygen-poor blood

to the lungs Pulmonary Valve

The Door between the Right Ventricle and the Pulmonary Artery

Pulmonary Artery Rt and Lt pulmonary arties

carry blood to Right and Left Lungs to receive oxygen at the Alveoli.

Pulmonary Circulation

The Rt and Lt Pulmonary Arteries divide into smaller arterioles that reach the alveoli of the lungs

There at the alveoli, the oxygen is “picked up” by the red blood cells and the blood becomes oxygen-rich

At the alveoli, the small venules (little veins) take the O2-rich blood and eventually combine to create the Pulmonary Vein Each lung has 2 pulmonary

veins coming out of it.

Left Side of Heart

The two (2) pulmonary veins from each lung deposit their 02-rich blood in the:

Left Atrium Collecting chamber of

the left side of heart Bicuspid (Mitral) Valve

The “door” between the left atrium and the:

Left Ventricle

The larger, stronger chamber of the heart

Why? Because it has to pump

the blood to the entire body.

Blood exits the left ventricle through the Aortic Valve

Once the blood passes the aortic valve it is out of the heart and in the aorta

Heart Review

Heart Rate is controlled by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) of the brain. The ANS is the “thermostat” responsible for

regulating heart rate, temperature, hunger, etc. Systole= heart contraction Diastole- heart relaxation Normal blood pressure is 120 Systole; 80 Diastole

Nodes The brain sends electrical impulses

to the heart for regulation via the Vagus Nerve (Cranial Nerve X)

These impulses are regulated by 2 Nodes in the heart.

Sino-Atrial Node (SA Node) Also known as the Pacemaker. A bundle of nerves located on the

superior wall of the Right Atrium Controls atrium beat and sends

impulse to…

Nodes Atrio-Ventricular Node (AV

Node) Controls ventricular beat Located on wall between Right

Atrium and Right Ventricle near Tricuspid Valve

The AV node then sends an electrical impulse to the nerves in the Myocardium to contract.

Layers of the Heart

The heart has three (3) layers Pericardium

Outside layer of heart Tough, fibrous layer

Myocardium Middle layer of heart As name suggests, it is the

part of the heart that has the cardiac muscle that contracts the chambers.

Biggest, thickest layer Endocardium

Innermost layer of heart

Layers of an Artery

Every artery in the body has three (3) layers Tunica externa

The outermost layer Tunica media

The middle layer Tunica intima

The innermost layer Aneurysm

When blood begins to leak through one of the layers

Due to excessive blood pressure

The Aorta “The Big Papi”

It is the largest artery in the body All major arteries in the body originate off the Aorta

Aorta divided into four (4) sections They have different names but they are the same

vessel 1. Ascending Aorta

Part of aorta that immediately comes out of the heart and ascends (moves up) into the chest cavity

The coronary arteries come off of the ascending aorta.

2. Arch of Aorta The aorta then turns to the left to create an arch

before turning downward The Arch gives off three (3) very important

vessels.

Aorta 3. Descending Aorta Otherwise known as the

Thoracic Aorta It descends down the

thoracic cavity behind the heart

4. Abdominal Aorta Once it passes the

diaphragm, it becomes the Abdominal Aorta The Abdominal Aorta

gives off all major arteries that supply blood to all the abdominal organs

Ends at L4 when it divides into the Common Iliac Arteries.

Coronary Arteries

The Coronary Arteries are the first set of arteries that come off the aorta.

They supply blood to the actual heart and its myocardium so it can continue to pump

After giving its 02 away, Coronary arteries become the Coronary Veins, which unite to become the Coronary Sinus, one of the openings in the Right Atrium

Coronary Arteries are the site of heart attacks (aka Myocardial Infarctions or MIs)

Arch of Aorta Three (3) important vessels

originate off the arch of the aorta that supply blood to the head and arms. 1) Left Subclavian Artery

Supplies blood to the left arm 2) Left Common Carotid Artery

Supplies blood to the left side of the face and brain

3) Brachiocephalic Artery (aka Inominate Artery) Small trunk of an artery that

eventually gives birth to the: Rt Common Carotid Artery

Supplies blood to the right side of face and brain

Rt Subclavian Artery Supplies blood to the right arm

The Head The left and right common

carotid arteries are the main arteries to the face, head, and brain. The common carotids

divide into the: Lt and Rt. External carotids

(2)-supply blood to the face Lt and Rt Internal carotids (2)-

supply blood to the brain Smaller arteries, called the

Vertebral arteries, originate off the left and right Subclavian arteries near the Aortic Arch and travel up the C-spine to supply blood to the back of the brain

So, Internal Carotids and Vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.

The Circle of Willis The Lt and Rt Internal

Carotids (2) reach the base of the brain where they become the:

Circle of Willis The intricate network of

brain arteries that supply blood to the entire brain

The Lt and Rt Vertebral Arteries merge to form the Basilar Artery which creates the posterior part of the Circle of Willis.

Stroke “Heart attack of the brain”

occurs in one of the arteries of the brain.

Blood supply to the Arm

The left Subclavian artery originates off the Arch of the Aorta

The right Subclavian comes off of the Brachiocephalic artery

Either way, the Subclavian changes names as it goes to wrist but it is the same vessel When it passes the armpit, it

becomes the Axillary Art When it enters the arm, it

becomes the Brachial Art When it enters the forearm, it

divides into the Radial and Ulnar arteries

It then divides into numerous arteries in the hand.

The Arteries of the Abdomen All major arteries of the

abdomen come off the Abdominal Aorta Celiac Trunk (T-12)

Short artery that breaks off into: Splenic Artery- gives blood to the

Spleen Common Hepatic Artery- gives

blood to Liver Gastric Artery -blood to stomach

Superior Mesenteric A.(L-1) Gives blood to the superior part

of the abdomen Renal Arteries

Supply blood to the kidneys Gonadal (Testicular) (L-2)

Gives blood to the gonads (testicles & ovaries, respectively)

Inferior Mesenteric A. (L-3) Gives blood to inferior part of the

abdomen

Arteries of the Pelvis

At Lumbar 4, the Abdominal Aorta divides into the Left and Right Common Iliac arteries The Common Iliac divide into:

The Internal Iliac Artery Supply blood to the pelvis,

bladder and genitalia The External Iliac Artery

Major vessels that supply blood to the legs.

Arteries of the Lower Extremity The external iliac artery

changes names as it descends the leg, but it is still the same artery Once it passes the hip, it

becomes the Femoral Artery

Once it enters the knee, it becomes the Popliteal Artery

Once it passes the knee, it divides into the Anterior and Posterial Tibial Arteries.

It then breaks into numerous arteries in the foot.

Veins

The Veins have three (3) layers as well Externa (Adventitia) Media Interna (Endothelium)

The major difference is that veins have valves They prevent backflow of

blood

Veins of the Lower Extremity

The Veins of the Leg is an almost exact mirror image of the arteries. Anterior and Posterior Tibial

Veins of the lower leg become the:

Popliteal Vein at the knee, which becomes the:

Femoral Vein in the leg becomes the External Iliac Vein in the pelvis, which becomes the Common Iliac Vein

The only difference is the Great Saphenous Vein, a small superficial vein that stretches from the ankle to the thigh. Used for bypass surgeries

Pelvic Veins

The Common Iliac Vein of each leg merges to become the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC), the largest blood vessel of the body at L-5.

Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) “Big Momma” The Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)

is the sister blood vessel to the Aorta.

It receives blood from the: Testicular (Gonadal) Veins

Return blood from the testicles/ovaries

Renal Veins Return blood from the kidneys

Hepatic Vein Return blood from the liver

The IVC then passes the diaphragm to enter the Thoracic cavity and delivers the low Oxygen blood to the Right Atrium of the Heart.

Hepatic Portal System

All food must be filtered by the liver. The villi cells of the small intestines

absorb the nutrients of the food. They are wrapped in capillaries which

later become the Inferior and Superior Mesenteric veins.

The Inferior and Superior Mesenteric Veins merge to form the Hepatic Portal Vein prior to entering the Liver

The Liver filters the nutrients in the blood

The “clean” blood is then taken to the Inferior Vena Cava via the Hepatic Vein

The IVC then takes the “clean” blood full of nutrients to the heart so it may be pumped out to all the cells in the body.

Veins of the Upper Extremity The Veins of the Arm mirror that of

the arteries with some notable differences The Ulnar and Radial veins of the

forearm turn into the Brachial vein in the arm. The Brachial vein turns into

the Axillary vein, then the Subclavian vein

There are 2 superficial veins in the arm as well.

The Cephalic Vein drains the lateral (top) arm

The Basilic Vein drains the medial (bottom) arm

Both drain into the Axillary Vein

Veins of the Head The veins of the head are a

mirror image of the arteries Instead of 2 Carotid

Arteries, we have 2 Jugular Veins (Left and Right)

The Internal jugular vein drains blood from the brain Identical to internal carotid

The External Jugular vein drains blood from the face Identical to external carotid

The Superior Vena Cava (SVC) The Subclavian Veins of the

arm meet the Internal Jugular Veins of the Head

They merge to form the Left and Right Brachiocephalic veins

The Right and Left Brachiocephalic Veins then merge with each other to form the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) The Superior Vena

Cava, along with Inferior Vena Cava, and

the Coronary Sinus (Vein) enter

the Rt Atrium.

Terms Arrhythmia- when heart beat is irregular Tachycardia- heart beat over 100 beats per minute Bradycardia- heart beat under 60 beats per minutes Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)- rapid heart beat of ventricles Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)- ventricles stop contracting and begin to

quiver. Imminent death unless remedied quickly. Defibrillator- machine which shocks the heart back into rhythmic

contractions Hypertension (aka High Blood Pressure)- Systole > 120; Diastole > 80 Hyperlipidemia (aka High Cholesterol) Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA or Stroke)- blockage leads to lack of 02

in brain leading to brain loss Thrombus- blood clot Embolism- blood clot breaks off and becomes lodged in capillaries of brain

or lungs. Angioplasty- “angio”= vessels, “plasty”= surgical repair

Placing a stent (wire mesh) in a coronary artery to prevent a heart attack by pushing the plaque against the arterial wall.

Otherwise known as Cardiac Catheterization

More Terms

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

A progressive disease in which a coronary artery accumulates too much plaque to the point that blood cannot go beyond it. Heart tissue beyond the blockage dies.

Coronary Stents (Angioplasty)

Stroke

Heart attack of brain Plaque or a clot blocks up cerebral artery Area beyond that is deprived of blood and 02 and dies.

Aneurysm

An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

Either hereditary or lifestyle choices High Blood Pressure and cholesterol culprits

CT Angiogram of Aorta.

Aortic Dissection

An actual tear or rupturing of the wall of the intima layer Blood flows between the layers, and eventually leads to:

Aortic Rupture (Hemorrhage) Aorta bursts and blood flows into body cavity High, high rate of death

Clots vs Embolism

Clots are a piece of plaque which gets too big it blocks (occludes) the artery or vein

Sometimes that piece will break off, like an iceberg, and travel toward another part of the body, like the leg or heart

The heart will pump it to the lungs and brain and that piece can get stuck in the small arterioles there and cause a blockage (embolism)