Cardiovascular System Overview for Veterinary Technicians- Q&A
1. Venous system Returns blood to the heart
2. Arterial system Carries blood away from the heart
3. Systemic circula- Blood flow to and from most parts of the body
tion
4. Pulmonary circu- Blood flow to and from the lungs
lation
5. Coronary circula- Blood flow to the heart muscle itself
tion
6. Portal circulation Blood flows from the intestines and proceeds to the liver before returning to the
heart
7. Pericardium The sac surrounding the heart
8. Myocardium Thickest layer of heart tissue
9. Endocardium Thin membranous inner-most lining of heart
10. Atria Receive blood and pump it down into the ventricles
11. Ventricles Pump blood away from the heart
12. Right Atrium Compartment receiving deoxygenated blood
13. Fossa ovalis A remnant of the fetal foramen ovale
14. Left Atrium Compartment receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins
15. Papillary muscles Muscular projections serving as attachments for the chordae tendineae of the AV
valves
1/8
, Cardiovascular System Overview for Veterinary Technicians- Q&A
16. Chordae Tough tendons anchoring the free edges of the AV valves to the papillary muscles
tendineae
17. AV valves Prevent backflow into the atria during ventricular contractions
18. Vena Cava Large vein returning blood to the heart
19. Pulmonary trunk Large vessel carrying blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries
20. Pulmonary veins Numerous vessels returning from lungs, emptying oxygenated blood into the left
atrium
21. Aorta Major artery with outflow from the left ventricle into the systemic circulation
22. Cardiac Cycle Each complete contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles
23. Stroke volume The amount of blood ejected with each cardiac contraction
24. Heart rate How often the heart contracts
25. Artery Vessel carrying blood away from the heart
26. Vein Vessel carrying blood towards the heart
27. Capillary Microscopic vessel that joins others to form an extensive network
28. Constriction Narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow
29. Relaxation Widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow
30. Vascular System The network of blood vessels in the body, including arteries, veins, and capillaries
31. Blood Pressure The force of blood against the walls of the arteries
32. Cardiac Output The amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute
2/8
1. Venous system Returns blood to the heart
2. Arterial system Carries blood away from the heart
3. Systemic circula- Blood flow to and from most parts of the body
tion
4. Pulmonary circu- Blood flow to and from the lungs
lation
5. Coronary circula- Blood flow to the heart muscle itself
tion
6. Portal circulation Blood flows from the intestines and proceeds to the liver before returning to the
heart
7. Pericardium The sac surrounding the heart
8. Myocardium Thickest layer of heart tissue
9. Endocardium Thin membranous inner-most lining of heart
10. Atria Receive blood and pump it down into the ventricles
11. Ventricles Pump blood away from the heart
12. Right Atrium Compartment receiving deoxygenated blood
13. Fossa ovalis A remnant of the fetal foramen ovale
14. Left Atrium Compartment receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins
15. Papillary muscles Muscular projections serving as attachments for the chordae tendineae of the AV
valves
1/8
, Cardiovascular System Overview for Veterinary Technicians- Q&A
16. Chordae Tough tendons anchoring the free edges of the AV valves to the papillary muscles
tendineae
17. AV valves Prevent backflow into the atria during ventricular contractions
18. Vena Cava Large vein returning blood to the heart
19. Pulmonary trunk Large vessel carrying blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary arteries
20. Pulmonary veins Numerous vessels returning from lungs, emptying oxygenated blood into the left
atrium
21. Aorta Major artery with outflow from the left ventricle into the systemic circulation
22. Cardiac Cycle Each complete contraction and relaxation of the heart muscles
23. Stroke volume The amount of blood ejected with each cardiac contraction
24. Heart rate How often the heart contracts
25. Artery Vessel carrying blood away from the heart
26. Vein Vessel carrying blood towards the heart
27. Capillary Microscopic vessel that joins others to form an extensive network
28. Constriction Narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow
29. Relaxation Widening of blood vessels, increasing blood flow
30. Vascular System The network of blood vessels in the body, including arteries, veins, and capillaries
31. Blood Pressure The force of blood against the walls of the arteries
32. Cardiac Output The amount of blood the heart pumps through the circulatory system in a minute
2/8