Cardiovascular System
Structures of the Cardiovascular System
- Heart card/o, cardi/o
- Receives blood from the veins and pumps blood into the arteries
- Blood Vessels angi/o, vas/o
- Transport blood to and from all areas of the body
- Arteries arteri/o
- Transport blood away from the heart to all parts of the body
- Capillaries capill/o
- Permit the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the blood and the cells
- Veins phleb/o, ven/o
- Return blood from all body parts to the heart
- Blood hem/o, hemat/o
- Brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells and carries away waste
Blood Vessels
- Arteries
- Vessels which carry blood away from the heart
- Capillaries
- The smallest type of blood vessel which connects an arteriole (small artery) to a venule (small vein) to form a network of blood vessels in almost all parts of the body; involved in the exchange of fluids and gases between tissues and the blood
- Veins
- Low-pressure vessels which collect blood to return to the heart
Blood
- Plasma
- Liquid portion of blood containing water, proteins, and small solutes
- Formed Elements
- Contain erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells) and platelets; the platelets and leukocytes are referred to as the buffy coat
- Erythrocytes
- Contain hemoglobin and transport oxygen
- Leukocytes
- Are involved in the immune system and defense against pathogens
- Platelets
- Also known as thrombocytes
- Formed elements which plate a role in blood clotting
Specialties
- Cardiologist
- Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating abnormalities, diseases and disorders of the heart
- Hematologist
- Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the blood and blood forming tissues
- Vascular surgeon
- Physician who specializes in the diagnosis, management and surgical treatment of disorders of the blood vessels
- Telemetry nurse
- Specializes in the use of technology to track vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rhythms and oxygen levels of patients
Pathologies
- Congenital heart defect
- Structural abnormalities caused by the failure of the heart to develop normally before birth and are the most common type of birth defect
- Coronary artery disease
- Also known as coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic heart disease, is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries that reduces the blood supply to the heart muscle; this can lead to a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Atherosclerosis
- Is hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the interior walls of the arteries (ather/o means plaque or fatty substance, and -sclerosis means abnormal hardening)
- Ischemia
- Condition in which there is an insufficient supply of oxygen in the tissues due to restricted blood flow to a part of the body (isch means to hold back, and -emia means blood)
- Angina
- Also known as angina pectoris, is a condition in which severe episodes of chest pain occur due to an inadequate blood flow to the myocardium
- Myocardial infarction
- Commonly known as a heart attack, is the occlusion (blockage) of one or more coronary arteries caused by plaque buildup
- Heart failure
- Chronic condition in which the heart is unable to pump out all of the blood that it receives. The decreased pumping action causes congestion (fluid build up)
- Carditis
- Inflammation of the heart (card means heart, and -itis means inflammation)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle (cardi/o means heart, my/o means muscle, and -pathy means disease)
- Arrythmia
- The loss of the normal rhythm of the heartbeat
- Fibrillation
- A potentially life-threatening fast and irregular heartbeat, compared to the fast but regular rhythm of tachycardia
- Aneurysm
- A localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery. The rupture of an aneurysm can be fatal because of the rapid loss of blood
- Varicose vein
- Abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the superficial veins of the legs. This condition occurs when the valves in these veins do not function properly, so blood pools in the veins, causing them to enlarge
- Thrombosis
- The abnormal condition of having a thrombus (thromb means clot, and -osis means abnormal condition or disease)
- Anemia
- A lower-than-normal number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in the blood (an- means without or less than, and -emia means blood condition) causing fatigue and shortness of breath
Lymphatic and Immune System
Structures of the Lymphatic and Immune System
The lymphatic system includes lymphatic vessels, tissues such as the tonsils and organs such as the spleen and thymus.
- Vessels
- Lymphatic vessels are unique blind ended vessels, sealed on one end, which picks up excess interstitial fluid in the surrounding area and is then termed lymph. Lymph flows through lymphatic vessels on its way back to the heart to re-enter the cardiovascular system. On its journey, it will pass through various lymph nodes to be checked for any unwanted pathogens.
- Tissue
- Lymphoid tissue, also referred to as Mucosa-associated lymphatic tissue (MALT) is tissue in which various immune cells such as lymphocytes are housed. Examples of MALT include tonsils, peyers patches in the intestines, and the appendix.
- Organs
- Lymphatic organs include lymph nodes, spleen and thymus. Lymph nodes filter lymph for pathogens, while the spleen filters blood for pathogens, and the thymus is the location of lymphocyte maturation (specifically T lymphocytes).
Specialties
- Allergist
- Diagnoses and treats allergies, asthma and immunologic conditions
- Infectious Disease Specialist
- Physicians focused on the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and even prions.
- Immunologist
- Research scientists or practicing specialists who study, analyze and/or treat disease processes that involve the immune system.
- Oncologist
- Special training in diagnosing and treating cancer
Pathologies
- Lymphangioma
- Benign tumor formed by abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels
- Lymphedema
- Localized swelling of the body caused by an abnormal accumulation of lymph.
- Anaphylaxis
- Severe response to an allergen
- Autoimmune disorder
- Large group of diseases in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues
- Immunotherapy
- Treatment which involves stimulating or suppressing the immune response
- Immunosuppressant
- Substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response
- Malaria
- Pathology caused by a parasite that lives in mosquitoes resulting in fever, aches and fatigue
- Herpes zoster
- Known as shingles, a viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions due to reactivation of varicella (chickenpox)
- Benign
- Non-life threatening; a benign tumor is not a form of cancer but can damage as it grows and places pressure on adjacent tissues
- Carcinoma
- Malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissues
- Sarcoma
- Malignant tumor that arises from connective tissues
- Lymphoma
- Malignancies of lymphoid tissues
- COVID-19
- Highly contagious viral infection with wide ranging symptoms such as fever, aches, pneumonia, hypoxia, and loss of taste/smell
Word List
Word Parts
- angi/o
- blood or lymph vessel
- aort/o
- aorta
- arteri/o
- artery
- ather/o
- plaque, fatty substance
- brady-
- slow
- cardi/o
- heart
- -crasia
- a mixture or blending
- -emia
- blood, blood condition
- erythr/o
- red
- hem/o, hemat/o
- blood, relating to the blood
- leuk/o
- white
- phleb/o
- vein
- tachy-
- fast, rapid
- thromb/o
- clot, thrombus
- ven/o
- vein
- anti-
- against
- carcin/o
- cancerous
- immun/o
- immune, protection, safe
- lymph/o
- lymph, lymphatic tissue
- lymphaden/o
- lymph node or gland
- lymphangi/o
- lymph vessel
- neo-, ne/o
- new, strange
- -oma
- tumor, neoplasm
- onc/o
- tumor
- phag/o
- eat, swallow
- -plasm
- formative material of cells
- sarc/o
- flesh, connective tissue
- splen/o
- spleen
- -tic
- pertaining to
- tox/o
- poison, poisonous, toxin
Terms
- acquired immunodeficiency syndrome im-you-noh-deh-FISH-en-see
- The most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection.
- allergen AL-er-jen
- A substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual.
- anaphylaxis an-ah-fih-LACK-sis
- A severe response to an allergen in which the symptoms develop quickly.
- Without help, the patient can die within a few minutes.
- anemia ah-NEE-mee-ah
- A lower than normal number of red blood cells in the blood.
- aneurysm AN-you-rizm
- A localized weak spot or balloon-like enlargement of the wall of an artery.
- angina an-JIGH-nuh
- Also known as angina-pectoris.
- A condition of episodes of severe chest pain due to inadequate blood flow to the myocardium.
- angioplasty AN-jee-oh-plas-tee
- A procedure in which a small balloon is used to open a partially blocked coronary artery, by flattening the plaque deposit and stretching the lumen.
- antibiotics
- A medication that is capable of inhibiting the growth, or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms.
- Antibody (Ab) AN-tih-bod-ee
- Also known as immunoglobulins.
- A large protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as those that exist on bacteria and virus cells, including those that cause disease.
- Each individual antibody recognizes one or more specific antigens, and antigens (a portmanteau of "antibody generator") of virtually any size and chemical composition can be recognized.
- anticoagulant an-tih-koh-AG-you-lant
- A medication that slows blood coagulation and prevents the formation of new blood clots.
- antifungal an-tih-FUNG-gul
- An agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.
- antigen AN-tih-jen
- Any substance that the body regards as being foreign.
- aplastic anemia ay-PLAS-tick ah-NEE-mee-ah
- A form of anemia that is characterized by an absence of all formed blood elements.
- arrhythmia ah-RITH-mee-ah
- An abnormality, or the loss of the normal rhythm of the heart beat.
- atherectomy ath-er-ECK-toh-mee
- A minimally invasive technique for removing atherosclerosis from blood vessels within the body.
- atherosclerosis ath-er-oh-skleh-ROH-sis
- The hardening and narrowing of the arteries caused by a build up of cholesterol plaques.
- atrial fibrillation AY-tree-al fih-brih-LAY-shun
- Occurs when the normal, rhythmic, contractions of the atria, are replaced by rapid irregular twitching of the muscular heart wall.
- automated external defibrillator dee-FIB-rih-lay-ter
- Automatically samples the hearts electrical rhythms, and when necessary, externally shocks the heart to restore a normal cardiac rhythm.
- autoimmune disorder aw-toh-ih-MYOUN
- Any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies to work against its own tissues.
- bacteria back-TEER-ee-ah
- A group of one-celled microscopic organisms, some of which cause diseases in humans.
- benign bee-NINE
- Acondition that is not harmful, not cancerous, and does not spread.
- beta-blocker
- A medication that reduces the workload of the heart by slowing the rate of the heartbeat.
- bradycardia brad-ee-KAR-dee-ah
- An abnormally slow heart beat, at a rate of less than 60 beats per minute.
- Candidiasis kan-dih-DYE-ah-sis
- Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that lives on your body (Candida albicans).
- cardiac arrest
- An event in which the heart abruptly stops, or develops a very abnormal arythmia that prevents it from pumping blood.
- cardiac catheterization KAR-dee-ack kath-eh-ter-eye-ZAY-shun
- A diagnostic or treatment procedure in which a catheter is passed into a vein or artery and then guided into the heart.
- cardiomyopathy kar-dee-oh-my-OP-ah-thee
- The term used to describe all diseases of the heart muscle.
- carcinoma kar-sih-NOH-mah
- A malignant tumor that occurs in epithelial tissue.
- cholesterol koh-LES-ter-ol
- A fatty substance that travels through the blood and is found in all parts of the body.
- The form of cholesterol, known as LDL, is harmful because it contributes to plaque buildup in the arteries.
- chronic venous insufficiency
- A condition in which venous circulation is inadequate due to partial vein blockage or leakage of venous valves.
- complement system KOM-pleh-ment
- A group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood, in an inactive form, and are activated by contact with non-specific antigens such as foreign blood cells or bacteria.
- coronary artery disease
- A narrowing or blockage of your coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
- coronary thrombosis KOR-uh-nerr-ee throm-BOH-sis
- Damage to the heart muscle caused by a thrombus blocking a coronary artery.
- cytokines SIGH-toh-kyens
- Small proteins released by cells throughout your body that act as chemical messengers for your immune system.
- cytomegalovirus sigh-toh-meg-ah-loh-VYE-rus
- A group of large herpes type viruses that cause a variety of diseases.
- cytotoxic drug sigh-toh-TOK-sick
- A medication that kills of damages cells.
- These drugs are used as immunosuppressants of as antineoplastics.
- defibrillation dee-fih-brih-LAY-shun
- The use of electrical shock to restore the hearts normal rhythm.
- diuretic dye-you-RET-ick
- Medication administered to stimulate the kidneys to increase the secretion of urine to rid the body of excess sodium and water.
- electrocardiogram ee-leck-troh-KAR-dee-oh-gram
- A record of the electrical activity of the myocardium.
- embolism EM-boh-lizm
- The sudden blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus.
- embolus EM-boh-lus
- A foreign object, such as a blood clot, quantity of air or gas, or a bit of tissue or tumor that is circulating in the blood.
- endocarditis en-doh-kar-DYE-tis
- An inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
- erythrocytes eh-RITH-roh-sights
- Mature red blood cells.
- hemoglobin HEE-moh-gloh-bin
- The iron containing pigment of the erythrocytes that transports oxygen from the lungs to all of the body tissues.
- hemolytic anemia hee-moh-LIT-ick ah-NEE-mee-ah
- A condition of a inadequate number of circulating erythrocytes due to the premature destruction of these cells by the spleen.
- hemorrhage HEM-or-idj
- Hemorrhage describes any type of internal or external bleeding from a damaged blood vessel.
- hemostasis hee-moh-STAY-sis
- To stop or control bleeding.
- herpes zoster HER-peez ZOS-ter
- Also known as shingles.
- An acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying root of the inflamed nerve.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma HODJ-kinz lim-FOH-mah
- Distinguished from other types of the lymphoma by the presence of reed-sternberg cells.
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) im-you-noh-deh-FISH-en-see
- A virus that attacks the body's immune system.
- Immunoglobulins (Ig) im-you-noh-GLOB-you-lins
- Also known as antibodies.
- A large protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as those that exist on bacteria and virus cells, including those that cause disease.
- Each individual antibody recognizes one or more specific antigens, and antigens (a portmanteau of "antibody generator") of virtually any size and chemical composition can be recognized.
- immunosuppressant im-you-noh-soo-PRES-ant
- A medication that prevents or reduces the bodies normal immune response, and is administered to prevent the rejection of donor tissue, and to depress autoimmune disorders.
- immunotherapy im-you-noh-THER-ah-pee
- A treatment of disease either by stimulating or repressing the immune response.
- interferons in-ter-FEAR-onz
- A family of proteins whose specialty is fighting viruses by slowing or stopping their multiplication.
- leukemia loo-KEE-mee-ah
- A malignancy characterized by a progressive increase in the number of abnormal leukocytes.
- leukocytes LOO-koh-sights
- Also known as white blood cells.
- Are a group of specialized blood cells that protect the body against harmful invaders such as bacteria.
- leukopenia loo-koh-PEE-nee-ah
- Describes any situation in which the total number of leukocytes, in the circulating blood, is less than normal.
- lymphadenopathy lim-fad-eh-NOP-ah-thee
- An disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes.
- lymphangioma lim-fan-jee-OH-mah
- A benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system.
- lymphedema lim-feh-DEE-mah
- Swelling due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph in the tissues.
- lymphocytes LIM-foh-sights
- White blood cells the specialize to act as antibodies so they can attack specific antigens.
- lymphoma lim-FOH-mah
- A general term applied to malignancies that develop in the lymphatic system.
- lymphoscintigraphy lim-foh-sin-TIH-grah-fee
- A diagnostic test to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels.
- macrophage MACK-roh-fayj
- A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills invading cells.
- malaria mah-LAY-ree-ah
- A disease caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.
- malignant mah-LIG-nant
- Cancerous, can spread to other parts of the body, and usually need treatment.
- mammography mam-OG-rah-fee
- A radiographic examination of the breasts, to detect the presence of tumorous or precancerous cells.
- megaloblastic anemia MEG-ah-loh-blas-tick ah-NEE-mee-ah
- A form of anemia in which the red blood cells are larger than normal.
- metastasis meh-TAS-tah-sis
- The noun that describes the new cancer site that results from the spreading process.
- metastasize meh-TAS-tah-sighz
- The verb that describes the process by which cancer spreads from one place to another.
- mitral valve prolapse MY-tral VALV proh-LAPS
- A common heart issue with floppy valve leaflets that don’t close tightly.
- myocardial infarction my-oh-KAR-dee-al in-FARK-shun
- Also known as a heart attack.
- The blockage of one or more coronary arteries, resulting in the infarct of the affected myocardium.
- myoma my-OH-mah
- A benign tumor made of of muscle tissue.
- myosarcoma my-oh-sahr-KOH-mah
- A malignant tumor derived from muscle tissue.
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma non-HODJ-kinz lim-FOH-mah
- The term used to describe all lymphomas other than Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- opportunistic infection op-ur-too-NIHS-tick
- A pathogen that normally does not cause disease.
- However, when the host is weakened by another condition, this pathogen is able to cause illness.
- orthostatic hypotension or-thoh-STAT-ick high-poh-TEN-shun
- Low blood pressure that occurs in a standing posture.
- osteosarcoma oss-tee-oh-sar-KOH-mah
- A malignant tumor usually involving the upper shaft of long bones, the pelvis, or the knee.
- parasite PAR-ah-sight
- A plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism, at the expense of that organism.
- pericardium pehr-ih-KAR-dee-um
- The double walled membranous sack that encloses the heart.
- pernicious anemia per-NISH-us ah-NEE-mee-ah
- A form of anemia caused by a lack of the protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B-12, which is necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
- rabies RAY-beez
- An acute viral infection that can be transmitted to humans by the blood, tissue, or saliva of an infected animal.
- rickettsia rih-KET-see-ah
- A small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites, and can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick.
- rubella roo-BELL-ah
- Also known as three-day measles, is a viral infection.
- If a mother is infected during the early stages of pregnancy, rubella can cause congenital abnormalities in the developing child.
- sarcoma sar-KOH-mah
- A malimant tumor that arises from connective tissue.
- sepsis SEP-sis
- Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection that causes your immune system to harm healthy tissues and organs.
- sickle cell anemia
- A genetic disorder that causes abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in some red blood cells assuming an abnormal sickle shape.
- splenomegaly splee-noh-MEG-ah-lee
- An abnormal enlargement of the spleen.
- systemic reaction sis-TEH-mik
- A systemic allergic reaction is an immune response that affects your entire body, not just the area that came into contact with an allergen.
- tachycardia tack-ee-KAR-dee-ah
- An abnormally rapid heartbeat at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute.
- thrombocytopenia throm-boh-sigh-toh-PEE-nee-ah
- A condition in which there is an abnormally small number of platelets in the circulating blood.
- thrombolytic throm-boh-LIT-ick
- Also known as a clot-busting drug.
- Causes the disolving or breaking up of the thrombus.
- thrombosis throm-BOH-sis
- The abnormal condition of having a thrombus.
- thrombus THROM-bus
- A blood clot attached to the interior wall of an artery or vein.
- toxoplasmosis tock-soh-plaz-MOH-sis
- A parasite that is most commonly transmitted from pets to humans by contact with contaminated feces.
- If a woman contracts this condition during pregnancy, it can result in abnormalities in the developing child, such as microstephalis, or hydrostephalis.
- transfusion reaction
- A serious and potentially fatal conplication of a blood transfusion in which a severe immune response occurs because the patient's blood and the donated blood types do not match.
- varicella var-ih-SEL-ah
- A disease caused by a herpes virus that is highly contagious.
- Also known as chicken pox.
- varicose veins VAHR-ih-kohs VAYNS
- Abnormally swollen veins that usually occur in the legs.
- ventricular fibrillation ven-TRICK-you-lar fih-brih-LAY-shun
- The rapid, irregular, and useless contractions of the ventricles.