Heart Physiology exam Flashcards

A complete cycle of pumping out blood (systole) and filling up with blood (diastole).

It initiates action potentials that propagate through the heart, leading to coordinated contractions.

The contraction phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart muscles contract and pump blood.

Around 120/80 mmHg.

The relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle where the heart fills with blood.

They detect blood pressure and help maintain homeostasis by adjusting blood volume and vessel diameter.

The highest blood pressure in the arteries during the peak of heart contractions.

It delays the action potential to allow the atria to empty blood into the ventricles before they contract.

The lowest blood pressure in the arteries during the relaxation phase of the heart.

Fibers that propagate the action potential through the ventricles from the bottom to the top.

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart.

The volume of blood pumped per minute by the ventricle.

The volume of blood pumped by a single ventricle contraction.

Long-term high blood pressure, typically above 140 mmHg systolic.

The hardening of the arteries due to an accumulation of fat deposits.

A heart attack caused by a blockage in one of the coronary arteries.

Small blood vessels where nutrient and gas exchange occurs with tissues.

Veins return blood to the heart and have valves to prevent backflow.

Specialized structures in heart muscle that connect neighboring cells and contain gap junctions.

The largest artery in the body that receives blood from the left ventricle.

Maintained through baroreceptors, adjusting blood volume and vessel diameter.

It allows the atria to completely empty their blood into the ventricles before they contract.

Referred to as 'good cholesterol' because it scavenges excess cholesterol.

Damage to the brain tissue due to a lack of oxygen, often caused by a blocked or ruptured artery.

Referred to as 'bad cholesterol' because it delivers cholesterol that can lead to fat deposits in arteries.

It carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Channels between heart cells that allow ions to flow and propagate action potentials.

It returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Valves that allow blood to flow from the atria to the ventricles.