Cardiovascular System

Front

Cardiovascular Adjective

---

[kar-dee-oh-vas-kyuh-ler]

Back

Cardiovascular

---

An adjective describing anything related to the heart and the network of blood vessels that transport blood throughout the body.

---

Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the heart, labeling its four main chambers and major blood vessels, which are key parts of the cardiovascular system.

Front

Circulatory system Noun

---

[sur-kyuh-luh-tawr-ee sis-tuhm]

Back

Circulatory system

---

The system that circulates blood and lymph through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, blood, lymph, and glands.

---

Example: This diagram shows how the circulatory system transports blood, with red arteries carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart and blue veins carrying oxygen-poor blood back.

Front

Cardiac Adjective

---

[kar-dee-ak]

Back

Cardiac

---

An adjective used to describe anything that is relating to, situated near, or acting on the heart.

---

Example: This image shows that 'cardiac' relates to the heart, which is made of a special type of muscle tissue called cardiac muscle.

Front

Cardiac Muscle Noun

---

[kar-dee-ak muhs-uhl]

Back

Cardiac Muscle

---

The specialized, involuntary muscle tissue that forms the walls of the heart, responsible for its continuous pumping action.

---

Example: This diagram shows that cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is made of branched, striated cells connected by intercalated discs.

Front

Atrium Noun

---

[ey-tree-uhm]

Back

Atrium

---

An upper chamber of the heart that receives blood from the veins and pumps it into a lower chamber.

---

Example: This diagram shows the heart's four chambers, labeling the right and left atria, which are the upper chambers that receive blood into the heart.

Front

Ventricle Noun

---

[ven-tri-kuhl]

Back

Ventricle

---

A lower chamber of the heart which receives blood from an atrium and pumps it into the arteries.

---

Example: This diagram shows the heart's four chambers, clearly labeling the two lower chambers, the right and left ventricles, which pump blood out.

Front

Valve Noun

---

[valv]

Back

Valve

---

A structure within the heart that temporarily closes a passage to permit the movement of blood in only one direction.

---

Example: A valve in the heart acts like a one-way door, opening to let blood pass through and closing to prevent it from flowing backward.

Front

Aorta Noun

---

[ey-awr-tuh]

Back

Aorta

---

The main and largest artery in the body, which originates from the left ventricle and carries oxygenated blood to all parts.

---

Example: This diagram shows the aorta is the main artery carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart's left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Front

Plasma Noun

---

[plaz-muh]

Back

Plasma

---

The colorless fluid component of blood in which red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended.

---

Example: This diagram shows blood separated into its main parts in a test tube, identifying plasma as the yellow, liquid component that makes up 55% of blood.

Front

Oxygen Noun

---

[ok-si-jin]

Back

Oxygen

---

A chemical element and gas that is essential for cellular respiration and the production of energy in the body's cells.

---

Example: This diagram shows the atomic structure of an oxygen atom, with 8 protons and 8 neutrons in the nucleus and 8 electrons orbiting it.