Cardiovascular System Study Guide


* mediastinum location
* coverings of the heart and composition of the heart wall
* anatomy of heart chambers and valves, vessels that that enter and leave heart chambers
* pathway of blood flow including major vessels, heart chambers, and valves
* valve function and when valves are open or closed
* other internal anatomy: trabeculae carnae, papillary muscles, chordae tendonae
* basics of coronary circulation
* function of internal conduction system: sinoatrial node function, atrioventricular node function
* effect on heart rate of sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems, epihephrine/norepinephrine, thyroxine, elevated and reduced calcium, excesses of sodium and potassium
 
* structure of arteries, capillaries, and veins with respect to the three layers of vessel walls (tunica intima, media, and adventitia
* three types of arteries and their function
* two types of capillaries: function and location
* workings of capillary bed (terminal arteriole, metarteriole/thoroughfare channel, precapillary sphincters, postcapillary venule
* veins: structure and function (valves, anastomoses)
 
* blood pressure definition and control, factors influencing blood pressure
* terms: cardiac output, stroke volume, heart rate
* sources of resistance and what effect they have on resistance and blood pressure
* place where peripheral resistance in greatest (arterioles)
* blood pressure measurement: systole, diastole
* general relationship of blood vessel radius and resistance
* control of blood pressure: neural controls, baroreceptors, ADH, kidneys (renin, angiotensin)
* forms of hypotension and hypertension
 
* velocity of blood flow in arteries, capillaries, and veins
* local blood flow regulation
* blood flow in skeletal muscles, brain, lungs, and heart
* capillary blood flow: fluid movement, hydrostatic pressure, osmotic pressure
* shock: hypovolemic, vascular, cardiogenic