| What are the three layers of the heart wall? |
Epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium. |
| What is the function of the atrioventricular (AV) valves? |
To prevent backflow of blood from the ventricles to the atria during ventricular systole. |
| What is the function of the sinoatrial (SA) node? |
To initiate the electrical impulses that stimulate the contraction of the heart muscles. |
| What is the function of the coronary arteries? |
To supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself. |
| What is the Frank-Starling law of the heart? |
The more the cardiac muscle fibers are stretched, the greater the force of contraction. |
| What is the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure? |
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart, while diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries during the relaxation of the heart. |
| What is the function of capillaries in the cardiovascular system? |
To allow for the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and tissues of the body. |
| What is the role of the medulla oblongata in regulating the cardiovascular system? |
It contains the cardiovascular center, which helps regulate heart rate, blood pressure, and blood vessel diameter. |
| What is the relationship between cardiac output and blood pressure? |
Cardiac output and blood pressure are directly proportional: an increase in cardiac output leads to an increase in blood pressure, and vice versa. |
| What is the difference between an artery and a vein? |
Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. |
| What is the function of the lymphatic system in relation to the cardiovascular system? |
To return excess tissue fluid and protein molecules to the bloodstream, and to help defend the body against pathogens. |
| What is the significance of the P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG)? |
It represents atrial depolarization, or the electrical activity that stimulates atrial contraction. |
| What is the function of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the cardiovascular system? |
To help regulate blood pressure and fluid balance by increasing the retention of sodium and water by the kidneys. |
| What is the difference between peripheral resistance and blood flow? |
Peripheral resistance refers to the resistance to blood flow caused by the walls of the blood vessels, while blood flow is the amount of blood that flows through those vessels over a certain period of time. |
| What is the role of natriuretic peptides in the cardiovascular system? |
To help regulate blood pressure and fluid balance by promoting the excretion of sodium and water by the kidneys. |
| What is the function of the baroreceptor reflex in regulating blood pressure? |
To detect changes in blood pressure and send signals to the cardiovascular center, which adjusts heart rate and blood vessel diameter to maintain blood pressure within a normal range. |
| What is the pathway of blood flow through the heart? |
Right atrium, tricuspid valve, right ventricle, pulmonary valve, pulmonary trunk, pulmonary arteries, lungs, pulmonary veins, left atrium, mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, aorta, systemic circulation. |
| What is the difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis? |
Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of plaque in the inner lining of the arteries, while arteriosclerosis refers to the hardening and thickening of the arterial walls. |
| What is the role of endothelin in the cardiovascular system? |
To help regulate blood pressure and blood vessel diameter by constricting the smooth muscles in the walls of the arterioles. |
| What is the function of the intercalated discs in cardiac muscle tissue? |
To allow for rapid transmission of electrical signals between adjacent cardiac muscle cells, which helps coordinate their contractions. |
| What is the function of the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus in fetal circulation? |
The foramen ovale allows most of the blood to bypass the pulmonary circulation, while the ductus arteriosus allows some of the blood to bypass the lungs and go directly to the systemic circulation. |
| What are the three types of blood vessels in the cardiovascular system? |
Arteries, veins, and capillaries. |
| What is the function of the pericardium in the cardiovascular system? |
To protect and lubricate the heart, and to prevent the heart from overfilling with blood. |
| What is the relationship between blood pressure and resistance in the cardiovascular system? |
Blood pressure and resistance are directly proportional: an increase in resistance leads to an increase in blood pressure, and vice versa. |
| What is the function of the parasympathetic nervous system in regulating the heart rate? |
To slow down the heart rate by releasing acetylcholine, which inhibits the activity of the SA node. |
| What is the relationship between blood volume and blood pressure? |
Blood volume and blood pressure are directly proportional: an increase in blood volume leads to an increase in blood pressure, and vice versa. |
| What is the significance of the T wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG)? |
It represents ventricular repolarization, or the process by which the ventricles recover from their previous electrical activity and prepare for the next cardiac cycle. |
| What is the function of the vasomotor center in regulating blood vessel diameter? |
To help regulate blood pressure by controlling the constriction and dilation of blood vessels. |
| What is the role of nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system? |
To help regulate blood vessel diameter by relaxing the smooth muscles in the walls of the arterioles. |
| What is the difference between the pulmonary circuit and the systemic circuit in the cardiovascular system? |
The pulmonary circuit carries blood between the heart and the lungs, while the systemic circuit carries blood between the heart and the rest of the body. |
| What is the function of the chordae tendineae in the heart? |
To anchor the AV valves to the papillary muscles in the ventricles, which prevents them from inverting into the atria during ventricular systole. |
| What is the function of the pericardial fluid in the cardiovascular system? |
To reduce friction between the heart and surrounding structures as it moves within the thoracic cavity. |
