Key Terms
aortic valve
between the left ventricle and the aorta, the largest artery in the body.
circulatory system
, the circulatory system becomes an extremely efficient system of transportation within the body.
left atrium
The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs. The left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium and pumps the blood into the aorta for transport
pericardium
The pericardium is a double-layered membrane, or sac, that covers the outside of the heart.
septum
The septum is a muscular wall that separates the heart into a right side and a left side.
arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms and can be mild to life threatening.
diastole
The cycle consists of a brief period of rest
left ventricle
the left ventricle the largest artery in the body.
plasma
solid elements called blood cells
systole
The cycle consists of a brief period of rest, called diastole, followed by a period of ventricular contraction
arteries
carry blood away from the heart.
endocardium
The endocardium is a smooth layer of cells that lines the inside of the heart and is continuous with the inside of blood vessels.
leukocytes
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are not as numerous as are erythrocytes. They are formed in the bone marrow and lymph tissue and usually live about 3-9 days.
pulmonary valve
The pulmonary valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery, a blood vessel that carries blood to the lungs
thrombocytes
as fragments or pieces of cells because they lack nuclei and vary in shape and size.
blood
The blood is pumped from the heart to the aorta and arterial blood vessels and then moves into capillaries.
erythrocytes
the erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are produced in the red bone marrow at a rate of about one million per minute.
mitral valve
The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and left ventricle.
right atrium
. It closes when the right ventricle contracts, allowing blood to flow to the lungs and preventing blood from flowing back into the right atrium
tricuspid valve
The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle
capillaries
Capillaries are also connected to the venous system, and one-way venous valves allow blood flow return to the heart.
hemoglobin
Hemoglobin carries both oxygen and carbon
myocardium
The thickest layer is the myocardium, the muscular middle layer.
right ventricle
the right ventricle has finished contracting, preventing blood from flowing back into the right ventricle
vein
are blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart. Venules, the smallest branches of veins, connect with the capillaries