NREMT® Paramedic > EMT-P (2) Cardiology and Resuscitation > Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart > Flashcards

Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart Flashcards

Describe the structures and cellular interactions within the Heart (56 cards)

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1
Q

Where is the heart located in the chest?

A

The heart sits above the diaphragm, posterior and slightly left of the sternum.

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2
Q

Define:

Epicardium

A

A thin membrane surrounding the outside of the heart.

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3
Q

Define:

Myocardium

A

A muscular layer found between the endocardium and epicardium.

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4
Q

Define:

Endocardium

A

A thin membrane that lines the inside of the heart.

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5
Q

Define:

Pericardium

A

A tough, fibrous sac that envelops the entirety of the heart.

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6
Q

How does the heart receive oxygen?

A

Through the coronary arteries.

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7
Q

Where do the coronary arteries branch off?

A

Aorta

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8
Q

Name the two main coronary arteries.

A
  • Left Main Coronary Artery
  • Right Coronary Artery
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9
Q

What are the two branches of the LMCA?

A
  • Left Anterior Descending
  • Left Circumflex
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10
Q

Fill in the blanks:

The Right Coronary Artery travels between the ___ ___ and ___ ___.

A

right ventricle; right atrium

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11
Q

Define:

collateral circulation

A

These are additional blood vessels that form due to poor circulation.

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12
Q

Name the four chambers of the Heart.

A
  1. Right Atrium
  2. Right Ventricle
  3. Left Atrium
  4. Left Ventricle
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13
Q

Name the four valves of the Heart.

A
  1. Tricuspid
  2. Mitral
  3. Pulmonary
  4. Aortic
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14
Q

What valve separates the RA from the RV?

A

Tricuspid valve

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15
Q

What valve separates the LA from the LV?

A

Mitral valve

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16
Q

What are the anchors of each heart valve leaflet?

A

Chordae Tendineae

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17
Q

What valve feeds blood from the LV to the aorta?

A

Aortic valve

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18
Q

Define:

Diastole

A

It’s a period when the ventricles and atria are resting.

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19
Q

Define:

Systole

A

It’s a period of time when the ventricles or atria are contracting.

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20
Q

True or false.

Both atriums typically contract at the same time.

A

True

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21
Q

What is the muscle that separates the left and right side of the heart?

A

Interventricular septum

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22
Q

Describe the step-by-step procedure of how blood flows through the heart.

A

The blood:

  1. Enters the RA from superior/inferior vena cava.
  2. Passes through the tricuspid valve into the RV.
  3. Pumped through the pulmonary valve into the pulmonary artery, where blood flows through the lungs for oxygenation.
  4. Oxygenated blood returns via the pulmonary veins into the LA.
  5. Exits the LA through the mitral valve and empties into the LV.
  6. Goes through the aortic valve and enters the aorta, where it is distributed throughout the body.
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23
Q

Define:

preload

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A

The initial stretching of the ventricles at the end of diastole, primarily due to the volume of blood returning to the heart.

24
Q

Define:

afterload

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A

It refers to the resistance the ventricles must overcome to eject blood

25
What are the **three structures** of a **blood vessel**?
* Tunica Adventitia * Tunica Media * Tunica Intima
26
# Define: blood pressure
The pressure **exerted** by blood on the arterial walls.
27
What is the main **purpose** of **capillaries?**
It **exchanges gases** and **nutrients**.
28
# Define: cardiac output
The **amount of blood** pumped out by either ventricle. ## Footnote HR x SV = CO
29
What is the **normal cardiac output**?
5-6 L/min ## Footnote This value can vary depending on factors such as age, physical condition, and metabolic demands.
30
# Define: stroke volume
The blood pumped out in a **single contraction**.
31
What is the **normal stroke volume**?
60-100 mL
32
# Define: Ejection Fraction
The percentage of blood that leaves the heart during each contraction. ## Footnote Normal EF: 55-70%
33
What is the **Frank-Starling mechanism**?
It describes how **increased stretch** of the cardiac muscle leads to **increased force of contraction**.
34
What is the **Inotropic effect**?
These are factors that affect the **contractility** of the heart.
35
What is the **Chronotropic effect?**
These are factors that affect the **heart rate**.
36
# Fill in the blank: Heart muscle conducts **without** the nervous system, which is called \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
automaticity
37
What is the **dominant pacemaker** of the heart?
SA node
38
What is the **normal path of electrical activity** through the heart?
1. SA node 2. AV node 3. Bundle of His 4. Left and right bundle branch 5. Purkinje fibers
39
What is the **gatekeeper** of electrical impulses in the heart?
AV node
40
# Define: depolarization
It is when the muscle fibers are **stimulated to contract**.
41
What happens during **absolute refractory period**?
The period when the heart **cannot respond to any stimulus**, regardless of strength.
42
What happens during **relative refractory period**?
The heart is able to respond to a **stronger-than-normal stimulus**.
43
What is the intrinsic **rate** of **SA node**?
60-100 bpm
44
What is the intrinsic **rate** of **AV node**?
40-60 bpm
45
What is the intrinsic **rate** of **Purkinje fibers**?
20-40 bpm
46
What indicates a **P Wave** in an ECG?
atrial depolarization
47
What indicates a **QRS complex** in an ECG?
ventricular depolarization
48
# Define: PR interval
The **distance** from the beginning of the P wave to the beginning of the QRS complex.
49
What indicates a **T wave** in an ECG?
ventricular repolarization
50
What is an **ST Segment?**
The period between ventricular depolarization and beginning of ventricular repolarization.
51
What is an **R-R interval**?
The duration between two ventricular depolarizations.
52
What is the function of the **parasympathetic nervous system**?
“rest and digest"
53
What is the function of the **sympathetic nervous system?**
“fight-or-flight”
54
What effect does the **alpha-1** have on the body?
vasoconstriction
55
What effect does the **beta-1** have on the heart?
* increases HR * force * automaticity
56
What is the _formula_ to find **blood pressure**?
Cardiac Output × Peripheral Vascular Resistance
EMT-P (2) Cardiology and Resuscitation
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