The Cardiovascular System

A general term for a group of disorders that affect the ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body

The classic chest pain that is felt as a result of the heart muscle being deprived of oxygen

Vessels that carry blood away from the heart

The smallest arteries

"Hardening of the arteries;" occurs when atherosclerosis plaques interfere with the elasticity of the arterial walls, making them brittle and prone to breaking

Blocking of the arteries, caused by the build-up of fatty deposits called plaques on the inside of the vessel wall

The upper chambers of the heart

The network of tiny vessels in the tissues where the oxygen and nutrients in the blood pass into the tissues, and carbon dioxide and other waste materials from the tissue pass into the blood

The pumping action of the heart in an organized pattern (all of the evens associated with one heartbeat)

The continuous movement of the blood through the blood vessels; powered by the pumping action of the heart

Clotting of the blood

A disorder that occurs when the arteries that supply the heart (the coronary arteries) narrow as a result of atherosclerosis, preventing adequate blood flow to the heart muscle

The resting phase of the cardiac cycle; during which the myocardium relaxes, allowing the chambers to fill with blood

A blood clot in a vessel that breaks off and moves from one place to another

The smooth inner lining of the heart wall

The smooth outermost layer of the heart wall

Red blood cells; responsible for carrying oxygen to all of the tissues of the body

A condition that occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs

A protein found in red blood cells that combine with oxygen to carry it to the tissues of the body

The process of stopping blood loss from the circulatory system

The state that occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the tissue is interrupted, leading to an oxygen deficiency in the tissues

A general term for a group of disorders characterized by the excessive production of white blood cells that are abnormal in structure

White blood cell

Fluid in the lymph vessels (vessels that return the fluid that leaks into the tissues to the bloodstream)

Masses of lymphatic tissue that "clean" the lymph by removing bacteria and other large particles before returning the fluid to the bloodstream

A "heart attack;" occurs when one or more coronary arteries becomes completely blocked, preventing blood from reaching the parts of the heart that are fed by the affected arteries

The thick, muscular middle layer of the heart wall; responsible for the pumping action of the heart

A double-layered protective sac that surrounds the heart

A disorder characterized by pain and cramping in the legs, caused by atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply the legs

Inflammation of a vein

A fatty deposit that builds up on the inside of the artery wall, blocking blood flow to the tissues and making the artery wall brittle and prone to breaking

The liquid part of the blood

The pattern of circulation that takes blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen and release carbon dioxide

A potentially fatal condition caused by the blocking of the pulmonary artery by an embolus (a blood clot in a vessel that breaks off and moves from one place to another)

The pattern of circulation that takes blood from the lungs to the rest of the body to release oxygen and pick up carbon dioxide

The active phase of the cardiac cycle, during which the myocardium contracts, sending blood out of the heart

Blood clots that form in the small blood vessels, blocking the flow of blood and depriving the tissues of oxygen and nutrients

Pinched-off pieces of larger cells that are found in the red bone marrow and are responsible for clotting of the blood; also called platelets

A condition characterized by inflammation and pain in the legs, caused by a thrombus in one of the veins of the legs

A condition that results from pooling of blood in the veins just underneath the skin, causing them to become swollen and "knotty" in appearance

Vessels that return blood to the heart

Open sores that occur on the lower legs, usually in the ankle area, as a result of pooling of blood in the veins

The formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the veins as a result of pooling of the blood

The lower chambers of the heart

The smallest veins