Cardiovascular Terms and Definitions

Front

Diastole

Back

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the heart relaxes between contractions

Front

Diastolic pressure

Back

The point of lesser pressure on the arterial walls

Front

Hypertension

Back

High blood pressure

Front

Hypotension

Back

Low blood pressure

Front

Meniscus

Back

The curved surface on a column of liquid in a tube

Front

Pulse pressure

Back

The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures

Front

Sphygmomanometer

Back

An instrument for measuring arterial blood pressure

Front

Stethoscope

Back

An instrument for amplifying and hearing sounds produced by the body

Front

Systole

Back

The phase in the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles contract, sending blood out of the heart and into the aorta and pulmonary aorta

Front

Systolic pressure

Back

The point of maximum pressure on the arterial walls