Cardiovascular system

• What are the heart chambers that students need to identify?

  Four chambers of the heart
• What is the purpose of tracing blood flow in the heart?


  To understand how blood circulates through the heart
• What does the cardiac cycle consist of?

  Various stages of the cardiac cycle
• What does ECG stand for?

  Electrocardiogram
• What physiological needs does the cardiovascular system meet?


  Transport nutrients, gases, and waste products
• What are the main components of the cardiovascular system?


  Heart, blood vessels, blood
• What is the thick-walled chamber of the heart?


  Left ventricle
• Why does the left ventricle have the thickest wall?

  It pumps blood all around the body
• What is the role of coronary arteries?


  Supply myocardium with oxygen and nutrients
• What happens if coronary arteries become blocked?

  It can damage the myocardium (middle layer of the heart)
• How does blood flow through the heart?

  From the right side to the left side
• What is the function of the cardiac conduction system?


  Ensures coordinated contraction of heart muscle
• What are the two key phases of the cardiac cycle?

  Diastole and systole
• What occurs during diastole?


  Ventricles are relaxed and filling with blood
• What happens during ventricular systole?

  Ventricles contract and eject blood
• What is the role of the SA node?


  Initiates electrical impulses in the heart
• What does the T wave represent in an ECG?


  Ventricular repolarisation before diastole
• What is digoxin used for?


  Treating cardiovascular system issues
• How does digoxin affect heart rate?


  Slows the heart rate and steadies beats
• What does the cardiac conduction system consist of?

  SA node, AV node, Bundle of His, Purkinje fibres
• How does the electrical signal affect heart muscle contraction?


  It causes depolarisation leading to contraction
• What is the significance of the QRS complex in an ECG?


  Represents ventricular depolarisation before contraction
• What are the stages of the cardiac cycle?

  1. Atrial systole
  2. Ventricular systole
  3. Diastole
• What are the characteristics of cardiac muscle?


  • Striated and branched
  • Generally uni-nucleated fibres
  • Intercalated discs for impulse conduction
• What are the differences between arteries, veins, and capillaries?

  • Arteries: carry blood away from heart
  • Veins: carry blood to heart
  • Capillaries: exchange of substances
• What are the components of blood?

  • RBCs (erythrocytes)
  • Plasma
  • Other formed elements
• What is the function of the ECG?


  • Records electrical activity of the heart
  • Non-invasive procedure
• What are the effects of digoxin on the heart?


  • Slows heart rate
  • Helps heart beat regularly
  • Affects ion concentration in cardiac cells
• What is the role of the AV node in the cardiac conduction system?


  • Delays electrical signal for coordinated contraction
• What is the significance of the cardiac cycle phases?

  • Diastole: relaxation and filling
  • Systole: contraction and ejection
• What is the importance of coronary arteries?


  • Supply oxygen and nutrients to myocardium
  • Blockage can damage heart muscle
• What is the purpose of the cardiac conduction system?

  • Ensures efficient pumping of blood
  • Coordinates heart muscle contractions
• What is the role of the left ventricle?

  • Pumps oxygenated blood to the body
  • Has the thickest wall for this function
• What is the significance of the P wave in an ECG?

  • Caused by atrial depolarisation
  • Precedes atrial contraction
• What is the significance of the T wave in an ECG?

  • Represents ventricular repolarisation
  • Occurs before diastole
• What is the significance of the QRS complex in an ECG?


  • Caused by ventricular depolarisation
  • Precedes ventricular contraction
• What is the role of the myocardium?

  • Muscle layer of the heart
  • Responsible for contraction
• What is the function of the pericardium?


  • Protects the heart
  • Provides lubrication
• What is the role of the endocardium?


  • Inner lining of the heart chambers
  • Provides smooth surface for blood flow
• What is the role of the aorta?


  • Main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the heart