Define The Following Circulatory System Vocabulary Flashcards

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blood the fluid tissue of the body contained within the curculatory system
plasma the liquid component of the blood
red blood cells cells in the blood containing hemoglobin; carry oxygen
hemoglobin iron containing molecule in red blood cells; used in transporting oxygen
white blood cells colorless blood cell that protects the body from infection
platelets cell fragments in the blood; help form blood clots
antibodies produced by white blood cells to help fight infection
heart a muscular organ that pumps blood
atriums the two upper chambers of the heart. Atriums are the chambers that recieve blood coming from other parts of the body. The Left atrium receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs, and the right atrium recieves blood high in waste products from the rest of the body.
ventricles the lower chambers of the heart. Ventricles pump blood away from the heart, either to the lungs or to the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs where it can absorb oxygen and get rid of the CO2 waste it has picked up. The left ventricle, the strongest chamber of your heart, pumps blood to the rest of the body.
valves flap-like structures in the heart that close to prevent blood from flowing backwards
arteries blood vessels that move blood away from the heart to the lungs or body
capillaries microscopic blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. This is where the blood gives the oxygen it is carrying to the cells of your body and picks up carbon dioxide waste from the cells to deposit at your lungs. The walls of the capillaries are very thin so that materials can be exchanged easily.
veins blood vessels that move blood toward the heart from the lungs or the body
pulmonary circulation the flow of blood between the heart and lungs (ex: pulmonary arteries carry blood to the lungs and pulmonary veins carry it back to the heart)
systemic circulation the flow of blood from the heart to all of your body except the lungs and back (ex: systemic arteries carry blood from your heart to your body and systemic veins carry it back to your heart)
blood pressure the pressure or force of blood as it moves through the arteries
pulse expansion and contraction of an artery as blood surges through it
superior vena cava the large systemic vein that carries blood from the upper part of the body
inferior vena cava large systemic vein that carries blood from the lower part of the body
aorta the largest artery in the body
hypertension the condition that occurs when blood pressure is higher than normal for long periods of time
septum a muscular wall that divides the heart into two sides