1607 Heart Anatomy Study Resources

TermDefinition
AneurysmAbnormal bulging of a blood vessel in the heart due to weakness in the vessel wall, posing a risk of rupture and internal bleeding.
AortaThe main artery of the body that distributes oxygenated blood to all parts of the body from the left ventricle.
Aortic ValveA valve between the left ventricle and the aorta that prevents backflow of blood into the left ventricle.
Atrial DepolarizationThe electrical activation that leads to atrial contraction, represented by the P wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Atrial FibrillationA heart arrhythmia characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate, reflected in a distinct ECG pattern.
AtriumUpper chambers of the heart; the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from the body, and the left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
Bicuspid ValveAlso known as the mitral valve; it allows blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle and prevents backflow.
Coronary ArteryArteries that supply blood to the heart muscle itself.
DiastolePhase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles relax and the chambers fill with blood; the tricuspid and bicuspid (mitral) valves are open, while the pulmonary and aortic valves are closed.
ECGElectrocardiogram, a tracing representing the electrical events during a heartbeat.
Inferior Vena CavaA large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the right atrium of the heart.
Left VentricleA chamber of the heart that pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta for systemic circulation.
Mitral ValveA valve that allows blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle and prevents backflow, also known as the bicuspid valve.
Myocardial InfarctionOften referred to as a heart attack; occurs when a blockage in a coronary artery prevents blood from reaching a section of the heart muscle, causing tissue damage or death.
Pulmonary ArteryThe artery carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for oxygenation.
Pulmonary ValveA valve located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery that prevents backflow of blood into the right ventricle.
Pulmonary VeinsVeins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart.
Right VentricleA chamber of the heart that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
Superior Vena CavaA large vein carrying deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs back to the right atrium of the heart.
SystolePhase of the cardiac cycle when the heart muscles contract, propelling blood out of the heart; the tricuspid and bicuspid valves are closed to prevent backflow into the atria, while the pulmonary and aortic valves are open.
Tricuspid ValveA valve that allows blood flow from the right atrium to the right ventricle and prevents backflow.
Ventricular DepolarizationThe electrical event that triggers ventricular contraction, represented by the QRS complex on an ECG.
Ventricular RepolarizationThe process allowing the ventricles to relax, represented by the T wave on an ECG.