Cardiovascular System correct answersOrgan system consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and
blood
Heart correct answersA muscular pump that drives the flow of blood through blood vessels
Blood Vessels correct answersConduits through which blood flows
Blood correct answersA fluid that circulates around the body, carrying materials to and from the
cells
Atria correct answersThe heart's two upper chambers, which receive blood carried to the heart in
veins
Ventricles correct answersThe two lower chambers, which pump blood into the arteires
Vasculature correct answersAll the blood vessels in the body
Arteries correct answersLarge vessels that carry blood away from the heart
Arterioles correct answersSmall blood vessels that carry blood to the capillaries; walls contain
smooth muscle that contracts and relaxes to regulate blood flow
Capillaries correct answersThe smallest blood vessels in the body; possess thin walls that permit
material exchange between blood and tissues
Venules correct answersBlood vessels that carry blood from capillaries to veins
Veins correct answersLarge blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart
Erythrocytes correct answersRed blood cell; functions in transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Leukocytes correct answersWhite blood cell; functions in immune response
Platelets correct answersCell fragments that play an important role in blood clotting
Plasma correct answersLiquid in the blood made up of water and dissolved solutes, including
proteins; represents about 20% of the total volume of extracellular fluid
Pulmonary Circuit correct answersThe portion of the vasculature that encompasses all the blood
vessels within the lungs and those connecting the lungs with the heart
Systemic Circuit correct answersThe portion of the vasculature that encompasses all of the
body's blood vessels, except those belonging to the pulmonary circuit
, Aorta correct answersA major artery whose branches carry blood to all organs and tissues in the
systemic circuit
Vena Cava correct answersOne of the two large veins that carry blood into the right atrium
Pulmonary Arteries correct answersArteries that carry blood to the lungs from the heart
Pulmonary Veins correct answersVeins that carry blood from the lungs to the heart
Epicardium correct answersOutter membrane surrounding the heart
Myocardium correct answersThe entire cardiac muscle mass
Endothelium correct answersA layer of epithelial cells that line the interior surface of the walls
of all blood vessels and the heart
Atrioventricular (AV) Valves correct answersValves that separate the atrium and ventricle on
either side of the heart
Mitral (Bicuspid) Valve correct answersAtrioventricular valve on the left side of the heart
Tricuspid Valve correct answersAtrioventricular valve on the right side of the heart, which has
tree cusps
Semilunar Valves correct answersValves located between the ventricles and arteries on either
side of the heart and that prevent blood from flowing back into the ventricles when the ventricles
are relaxed
Aortic Semilunar Valve correct answersA valve located between the left ventricle and the aorta
Pulmonary Semilunar Valve correct answersValve located between the right ventricle and
pulmonary trunk
Autorhythmicity correct answersThe ability of the heart to generate signals that trigger its
contractions on a periodic basis; the heart's ability to generate its own rhythm
Myogenic correct answersContraction is triggered from signals originating in the muscle itself
Functional Syncytium correct answersMerging cells performing as a unit; those of the heart are
joined electrically. A syncytium lacks cell boundaries, appearing as a multinucleated structure
Pacemaker Cells correct answersCells that are capable of generating pacemaker potentials; in
cardiac or smooth muscle, are responsible for triggering contractions
Conduction Fibers correct answersSpecialized muscle cells that rapidly conduct action potentials
throught the heart