What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
Master all 32 flashcards
Understand the physiological processes underlying blood circulation and heart function.
Mastering this deck will enhance your understanding of cardiac mechanics and blood flow regulation, enabling accurate interpretation of cardiovascular assessments and contributing to effective clinical decision-making in diagnosing and managing heart-related conditions.
ℹ️ Educational Use Only: This flashcard deck is created by usersof our platform for their educational and study purposes. The content is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions and verify information with authoritative medical sources.
Showing 20 of 32 cardsSample view
| # | Front | Back | Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system? | To transport oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body, and to maintain blood pressure and homeostasis. | Think of it as the body's transportation network. |
| 2 | Define cardiac output. | The volume of blood ejected by the ventricle into the aorta per minute, calculated as stroke volume multiplied by heart rate (CO = SV x HR). | Think of it as the heart's pumping power per minute. |
| 3 | What are the main components of the cardiac cycle? | Systole (ventricular contraction) and diastole (ventricular relaxation). | Remember 'S-D' for systole and diastole. |
| 4 | During which phase of the cardiac cycle do the ventricles contract? | During systole. | Think 'systole' as 'squeeze'. |
| 5 | What causes the first heart sound (S1)? | Closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid) at the beginning of ventricular systole. | Think of 'Lub' as the AV valves closing. |
| 6 | What causes the second heart sound (S2)? | Closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves at the end of systole. | Think of 'Dub' as the semi-lunar valves closing. |
| 7 | What is stroke volume? | The amount of blood ejected by the ventricle during each contraction, typically around 70 mL in adults. | Remember 'stroke' as the volume per beat. |
| 8 | Which factors influence stroke volume? | Preload, afterload, and contractility. | Think of preload as filling, afterload as resistance, and contractility as the strength of contraction. |
| 9 | Define preload in the context of cardiac function. | The degree of ventricular stretch before contraction, related to end-diastolic volume. | Remember: 'Preload' is the 'stretch before contraction'. |
| 10 | What is afterload? | The resistance the ventricles must overcome to eject blood, primarily determined by arterial blood pressure. | Think 'afterload' as the 'after' resistance. |
| 11 | How does increased afterload affect stroke volume? | It decreases stroke volume because the heart has to work harder to eject blood against higher resistance. | High blood pressure can increase afterload. |
| 12 | What is the Frank-Starling law of the heart? | The greater the ventricular stretch during diastole (preload), the greater the force of contraction and stroke volume, up to an optimal point. | Think 'more filling leads to a stronger squeeze.' |
| 13 | What is the significance of the end-diastolic volume (EDV)? | It represents the volume of blood in the ventricle at the end of diastole and influences stroke volume via preload. | EDV is the 'filling' volume just before contraction. |
| 14 | What does the ejection fraction measure? | The percentage of end-diastolic volume ejected during systole, typically around 55-70% in healthy hearts. | EF indicates how effectively the heart pumps blood. |
| 15 | What is the role of the sinoatrial (SA) node? | It acts as the heart's natural pacemaker, initiating electrical impulses that regulate heart rate. | SA node: 'Start your heart's rhythm here.' |
| 16 | Describe the sequence of electrical conduction in the heart. | SA node → atrioventricular (AV) node → bundle of His → bundle branches → Purkinje fibers. | Think 'SA to Purkinje' as the conduction highway. |
| 17 | What is the normal heart rate range in adults? | 60 to 100 beats per minute. | Remember: 'Normal is 60-100 bpm.' |
| 18 | Define systolic blood pressure. | The pressure in the arteries during ventricular systole, when the heart contracts. | The top number in blood pressure readings. |
| 19 | Define diastolic blood pressure. | The pressure in the arteries during ventricular diastole, when the heart relaxes. | The bottom number in blood pressure readings. |
| 20 | What is pulse pressure? | The difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures, indicating the force of blood ejected with each heartbeat. | Pulse pressure = systolic – diastolic. |
Note: This preview shows only the first 20 cards. The complete deck contains 32 total cards. Start studying to access all flashcards.
Master all 32 flashcards
Explore other decks you might find helpful