MEDICAL TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS RELATED TO THE CARDIOVASCULAR AND LYMPHATIC
SYSTEMS SUMMARY LATEST EPISODE SUMMARIES UPDATED FOR 2025 – GUARANTEED PASS
Cardiac cycle
One complete heartbeat that includes contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of both
atria (upper heart chambers) and both ventricles (lower heart chambers)
Cardiovascular system
Composed of the heart and blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body cells
and carry away cellular wastes
Heart
Hollow muscular organ that receives blood from the veins and propels blood through the
arteries
Apex
The lower pointed end of the heart formed by the left ventricle
Coronary circulation
Blood supply to the heart tissue
Septum
Wall of heart tissue separating the right and left sides
Atrium
Upper receiving chamber of the heart; right and left atria
Ventricle
Lower pumping chamber of the heart; right and left ventricles
Endocardium
Inner lining of the heart
Myocardium
Middle muscular layer of heart tissue
Epicardium
Outer lining of the heart
, Pericardium
Sac around the heart that facilitates movement of the heart as it beats
Aortic valve
Heart valve between the left ventricle and aorta (main artery of the heart)
Mitral valve
Heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle; also called a bicuspid valve
Pulmonary valve
Heart valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; also called a semilunar valve
due to the half-moon shape of its three cusps
Tricuspid valve
Heart valve between the right atrium and right ventricle
Blood vessels
Tubular structures tha transport blood
Capillary
Microscopic thin-walled vessel connecting arterioles and venues where gas, nutrient, and waste
exchange take place between the blood and cells of the body
Lumen
Interior space of a vessel
Aorta
Largest artery that begins as an arch form the left ventricle then branches and descends through
the thoracic and abdominal cavities; carries oxygenated blood away from the heart
Artery
Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Arteriole
Small artery that connects an artery to a capillary
Inferior vena cava
Large vein carrying blood to the heart from the lower part of the body
SYSTEMS SUMMARY LATEST EPISODE SUMMARIES UPDATED FOR 2025 – GUARANTEED PASS
Cardiac cycle
One complete heartbeat that includes contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of both
atria (upper heart chambers) and both ventricles (lower heart chambers)
Cardiovascular system
Composed of the heart and blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body cells
and carry away cellular wastes
Heart
Hollow muscular organ that receives blood from the veins and propels blood through the
arteries
Apex
The lower pointed end of the heart formed by the left ventricle
Coronary circulation
Blood supply to the heart tissue
Septum
Wall of heart tissue separating the right and left sides
Atrium
Upper receiving chamber of the heart; right and left atria
Ventricle
Lower pumping chamber of the heart; right and left ventricles
Endocardium
Inner lining of the heart
Myocardium
Middle muscular layer of heart tissue
Epicardium
Outer lining of the heart
, Pericardium
Sac around the heart that facilitates movement of the heart as it beats
Aortic valve
Heart valve between the left ventricle and aorta (main artery of the heart)
Mitral valve
Heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle; also called a bicuspid valve
Pulmonary valve
Heart valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery; also called a semilunar valve
due to the half-moon shape of its three cusps
Tricuspid valve
Heart valve between the right atrium and right ventricle
Blood vessels
Tubular structures tha transport blood
Capillary
Microscopic thin-walled vessel connecting arterioles and venues where gas, nutrient, and waste
exchange take place between the blood and cells of the body
Lumen
Interior space of a vessel
Aorta
Largest artery that begins as an arch form the left ventricle then branches and descends through
the thoracic and abdominal cavities; carries oxygenated blood away from the heart
Artery
Blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Arteriole
Small artery that connects an artery to a capillary
Inferior vena cava
Large vein carrying blood to the heart from the lower part of the body
