Medical Terminology 2.

0: Cardiovascular System: Lesson 1: Anatomy & Physiology Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn medical terms related to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. When you have completed this lesson, you will be familiar with medical terms used to describe the structures and functions associated with the cardiovascular system.

Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, you should be able to: Define word parts used to build terms related to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Define terms used to describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Build terms using word parts describing the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Pronounce and spell terms related to the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Recognize and use the word parts and terms used to describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.

ReviewSuffix, Prefix, and Combining Forms Venul/o venule Capilarr/o capillary Artri/o, arter/o artery Aort/o aorta Phleb/o, ven/o vein Cardi/o heart Epi- - above Atri/o atrium Myocardi/o myocardium a- without dys- - abnormal peri- - surrounding -um structure, tissue, thing Pulmon/o lung -ary pertaining to Coron/o heart Arterial/o arteriole Ventricu/o ventricles Endo- - within My/o muscle Pre- - before Electr/o electricity -graph instrument for recording Rrhythm/o rhythm -ia condition

Case Study: Mali Phuong

Ms. Phuong is a 47-year-old woman who works as an animation artist for a large computer software company. She was a long distance runner but is no longer able to run because of arthritic changes in her knees. She would like to find a new fitness activity; however, she is often tired and prefers to relax with a good book or a movie in the evenings. Tonight she was at the cinema with friends when her left arm began to hurt, and her chest felt tight. She felt sick to her stomach and began to sweat. She did not tell her friends and drove herself home. By the time she got to her house, the pain had worsened, and she knew something was very wrong. She then called 9-1-1 for emergency help.

The Cardiovascular SystemCirculation

The heart provides blood flow through three distinct circulation systems. Systemic circulation refers to circulation throughout the whole body. Pulmonary circulation (pulmon/o=lung, -ary=pertaining to) refers to circulation between the lungs and heart. Coronary circulation (coron/o=heart) refers to circulation within the heart itself.

Systemic Circulation
Blood leaves the heart through the aorta (aort/o), flowing into the conducting arteries (arteri/o, arter/o), then into the smaller arterioles (arteriol/o), and finally into the delicate capillaries (capillar/o). The exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes occurs at the capillary level. Blood returning to the heart flows through tiny venules (venul/o), and then into veins (phleb/o=vein, ven/o), and finally into either of the two largest veinsthe superior or inferior venae cavae (sing., vena cava).

Anatomy of the Heart

The human heart is about the size of a fist. It receives its blood supply from the coronary arteries. The heart is divided into four chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria (atri/o) (sing., atrium). The two lower chambers are called the ventricles (ventricul/o). The valves (valvul/o) between these chambers and between the ventricles and vessels regulate blood flow in a specific direction.

The tissue walls between the chambers are called septa (sing., septum [sept/o]).

Layers of the Heart Wall

The layers of the heart wall include: The endocardium (endo-=within, cardi/o=heart, -um=structure, tissue): Thin tissue that lines each chamber and valve. The myocardium (myocardi/o [my/o=muscle)]: Cardiac muscle surrounding each chamber. The pericardium (peri-=surrounding, cardi/o=heart, -um=structure, tissue): Double-folded layer of connective tissue that surrounds the heart. The epicardium (epi-=above, cardi/o=heart, -um=structure, tissue): The outer pericardium. The precordium (pre-= before) : The area of the chest wall anterior to the heart.

Electrical Conduction System

An electrocardiograph (ECG) (electr/o=electricity, cardi/o=heart, -graph=instrument for recording) is a machine that records the electrical activity of the heart. Electronic impulses of the heart are recorded as wave deflections of a needle. This procedure determines whether there are any electrical abnormalities. An abnormal heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia (a-=without, rrhythm/o=rhythm, -ia=condition) or dysrhythmia (dys-=abnormal).

Case Study: Mali Phuong

The paramedics arrive at Ms. Phuong's home. She explains to them why she called 9-1-1. They proceed to administer oxygen to her, obtain her blood pressure and heart rate, and attach Ms. Phuong to an electrocardiograph machine. The paramedics transmit the recording of her heart rhythm to the emergency department physician. The physician orders medication for pain and requests that the paramedics transport Mali to the emergency department. Ms. Phuong agrees with the recommended plan of treatment. The paramedics quickly transport her to the nearest emergency department for further treatment.

Summary
This lesson presented the medical terms used to describe the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system. Terms used to describe the systemic, pulmonary, and cardiac circulation were explained. Click the Take Test button to begin the test.