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Ch 10 - WWCC Medical Terminology
Cardiovascular System
149
Medical
Professional
11/11/2011

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Term
analgesic
Definition
Pertaining to relieving pain; a medication that relieves pain.
Term
anastomosis
Definition
A surgical joining of two ducts, blood vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to the other. May be performed to bypass an occluded area and restore normal blood flow to the area.
Term
aneurysm
Definition
Localized dilation of a weakened area of the wall of an artery. The weakened area balloons out with every pulsation of the artery.
Term
aneurysmectomy
Definition
Surgical removal of the sac of an aneurysm.
Term
anomaly
Definition
Deviation from normal; birth defect.
Term
anorexia
Definition
Lack or loss of appetite, resulting in the inability to eat. Seen in individuals who are depressed, with the onset of fever and illness, with stomach disorders, or as a result of excessive intake of alcohol or drugs.
Term
arthralgia
Definition
Joint pain.
Term
ascites
Definition
An abnormal collection of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. The fluid contains large amounts of protein and electrolytes. General abdomen swelling occurs.
Term
asystole
Definition
Absence of contractions of the heart.
Term
atherosclerosis
Definition
A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by fatty deposits building up within the inner layers of the walls of larger arteries.
Term
benign
Definition
Noncancerous; not progressive.
Term
bruit
Definition
An abnormal sound or murmur heard with a stethoscope when listening to a carotid artery, organ, or gland.
Term
cardiologist
Definition
One who specialized in the study of diseases and disorders of the heart.
Term
cardiology
Definition
The study of the heart.
Term
carditis
Definition
Inflammation of the heart muscles.
Term
claudication
Definition
Cramplike pains in the calves of the legs caused by poor circulation to the muscles of the legs; commonly associated with atherosclerosis.
Term
coronary artery
Definition
One of a pair of arteries that branch from the aorta. Supply blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
Term
cusp
Definition
Any on of the small flaps on the valves of the heart.
Term
dependent edema
Definition
A fluid accumulation in the tissues influenced by gravity; usually greater in the lower extremities than in tissue levels above the level of the heart.
Term
diastole
Definition
The period of relaxation of the heart, alternating with the contraction phase known as systole.
Term
dysrhythmia
Definition
Abnormal rhythm.
Term
echocardiogram
Definition
The graphic outline or record o movements of structures of the heart produced by ultrasonography.
Term
edema
Definition
The localized or generalized collection of fluid within the body tissues, causing the area to swell.
Term
endocarditis
Definition
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.
Term
epicardium
Definition
The inner layer of the pericardium, which is the double-folded membrane that encloses the heart.
Term
hepatomegaly
Definition
Enlargement of the liver.
Term
Homan's sign
Definition
Pain felt in the calf of the leg, or behind the knee, when the examiner is purposely dorsiflexing the foot of the patient.
Term
hyperlipidemia
Definition
An excessive level of fats in the blood.
Term
hypertension
Definition
Elevated blood pressure persistently higher than 135/85 mmHg; high blood pressure; also known as arterial hypertension.
Term
hypotension
Definition
Low blood pressure; less than normal blood pressure reading.
Term
hypoxemia
Definition
Insufficient oxygenation of arterial blood.
Term
infarction
Definition
A localized area of necrosis (death) in tissue, a vessel, an organ, or a part resulting from lack of oxygen due to interrupted blood flow to the area.
Term
ischemia
Definition
Decreased supply of oxygenated blood to a body part or organ.
Term
lesion
Definition
A wound, injury, or any pathological change in body tissue.
Term
lipid
Definition
Any of a group of fats or fatlike substances found in the blood. Examples are cholesterol, fatty acids, and triglycerides.
Term
lumen
Definition
A cavity or the channel within any organ or structure of the body; the space within an artery, vein, intestine, or tube.
Term
malaise
Definition
A vague feeling of body weakness discomfort, often indicating the onset of an illness or disease.
Term
mediastinum
Definition
The area between the lungs in the chest cavity that contains the heart, aorta, trachea, esophagus, and bronchi.
Term
murmur
Definition
A low-pitched humming or fluttering sound heard on auscultation.
Term
myocardium
Definition
The middle muscular layer of the heart.
Term
nocturia
Definition
Urination at night.
Term
occlusion
Definition
Closure, or state of being closed.
Term
orthopnea
Definition
An abnormal condition in which a person sits up straight or stands up to breathe comfortably.
Term
pacemaker
Definition
The SA node (sinoatrial) of the heart located in the right atrium. It is responsible for initiating the heartbeat, influencing the rate and rhythm of the heart beat. The cardiac pacemaker (artificial pacemaker) is an electric apparatus used for maintaining a normal heart rhythm by electrically stimulating the heart muscle to contract.
Term
palpable
Definition
Detectable by touch.
Term
palpitation
Definition
A pounding or racing of the heart, associated with normal emotional responses or with heart disorders.
Term
pericardial
Definition
Pertaining to the pericardium
Term
pericardium
Definition
The double membranous sac that encloses the heart and the origins of the great blood vessels.
Term
petechiae
Definition
Small, purplish, hemorrhagic spots on the skin; may be due to abnormality in the blood-clotting mechanism of the body.
Term
pitting edema
Definition
Swelling, usually of the skin of the extremities, that when pressed firmly with a finger will maintain the dent produced by the finger.
Term
prophylactic
Definition
An agent that protects against disease.
Term
pulmonary artery
Definition
One of a pair of arteries that transports deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. Only arteries to carry deoxygenated blood.
Term
pulmonary circulation
Definition
The circulation of deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation and back to the left atrium of the heart; that is, from the heart, to the lungs, back to the heart.
Term
pulmonary vein
Definition
One of four large veins (two from each lung) that returns oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart. Only veins in the body to carry oxygenated blood.
Term
SA node
Definition
Sinoatrial node; pacemaker of the heart.
Term
septum
Definition
A wall, or partition, that divided or separates two cavities. The interatrial septum separates the right and left atria, the atriocentricular septum separates the atria and the ventricles, and the interventricular septum separates the right and left ventricles.
Term
serum sickness
Definition
A hypersensitivity reaction that may occur two to three weeks after administration of an antiserum. Symptoms include fever, enlargement of the spleen, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and skin rash.
Term
Sydenham's chorea
Definition
A form of chorea (involuntary muscle twitching) associated with rheumatic fever, usually occurring in childhood.
Term
systemic circulation
Definition
The circulation of blood from the left ventricle of the heart, throughout the body, and back to the right atrium of the heart. Oxygenated blood leaves the left ventricle of the heart and is distributed tot he capillaries. Deoxygenated blood is picked up from the capillaries and is transported back to the right atrium of the heart.
Term
systole
Definition
The contraction phase of the heartbeat forcing blood into the aorta and the pulmonary arteries. Marked by the first sound heard on auscultation, or the first pulse palpated, after the release of the blood pressure cuff.
Term
thrombosis
Definition
The formation or existence of a blood clot.
Term
vasoconstriction
Definition
Narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel.
Term
vegetation
Definition
An abnormal growth of tissue around a valve.
Term
anorexia
Definition
Lack or loss of appetite
Term
anxiety
Definition
A feeling of apprehension, worry, uneasiness, or dread, especially of the future.
Term
bradycardia
Definition
A slow heart rate characterized by a pulse rate under 60 beats per minute.
Term
chest pain
Definition
A feeling of discomfort in the chest area.
Term
cyanosis
Definition
Slightly bluish, grayish, slatelike, or dark discoloration of the skin due to the presence of abnormal amounts of reduced hemoglobin in the blood.
Term
dyspnea
Definition
Difficult breathing; air hunger resulting in labored or difficult breathing, sometimes accompanied by pain.
Term
fatigue
Definition
A feeling of tiredness or weariness resulting from continued activity or as a side effect from some psychotropic drug.
Term
fever
Definition
Elevation of temperature above the normal.
Term
headache
Definition
A diffuse pain in different portions of the head and not confined to any nerve distribution area.
Term
nausea
Definition
Unpleasant sensation, usually preceding vomiting.
Term
pallor
Definition
Lack or color, paleness; an unnatural paleness or absence of color in the skin.
Term
sweat
Definition
Perspiration; the liquid secreted by the sweat glands, having a salty taste.
Term
tachycardia
Definition
Abnormally rapidity of heart action, usually defined as a heart rate over 100 beats per minutes.
Term
vomiting
Definition
Ejection through the mouth of the gastric content.
Term
weakness
Definition
Lacking physical strength or vigor.
Term
parietal pericardium
Definition
Outer covering of the pericardium that provides strength to the pericardium.
Term
visceral pericardium
Definition
Inner layer of the pericardium, forms a thin, tight covering over the heart surface.
Term
pericardial cavity
Definition
Small space between the layers of the pericardium filled with fluid that lubricates the surface of the heart and reduces friction during cardiac muscle contraction.
Term
endocardium
Definition
Inner layer of the heart.
Term
right and left atrium
Definition
Upper chambers of the heart; the receiving chambers.
Term
right and left ventricles
Definition
Lower chambers of the heart; the pumping chambers.
Term
interatrial septum
Definition
Separates right and left sides of atria.
Term
interventricular septum
Definition
Separates right and left sides of ventricles.
Term
AV node
Definition
atrioventricular node; located within the interatrial septum just above the junction of the atria and ventricles. Coordinates impulses from the atria and relays the impulse to the ventricles through specialized muscle fibers called the bundle of His.
Term
bundle of His
Definition
Specialized muscle fibers; divides into right and left bundle branches that terminate into Purkinje fibers.
Term
Purkinje fibers
Definition
Fibers fan out into the muscles of the ventricles, forming the electrical impulse-conducting system of the heart. Cause the ventricles to contract.
Term
arteries
Definition
Large, thick-walled vessels that carry the blood way from the heart.
Term
arterioles
Definition
Thinner walls than arteries and are composed almost entirely of smooth muscle. Carry the blood on to the minute blood vessels known as capillaries.
Term
capillaries
Definition
Extremely thin walls, consisting of a single layer of endothelial cells. Allow for the exchange of materials between the blood and the tissue fluid surrounding the body cells.
Term
venules
Definition
Smallest veins. Collect the deoxygenated blood from the cells for transport back to the heart.
Term
veins
Definition
Have thinner walls than arteries but thicker walls than capillaries. They transport blood from the venules to the heart.
Term
blood pressure
Definition
The pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries.
Term
systolic pressure
Definition
The maximum pressure reached within the ventricles.
Term
diastolic pressure
Definition
The minimum pressure within the ventricles.
Term
sphygmomanometer
Definition
Blood pressure cuff; used to measure blood pressure.
Term
angina pectoris
Definition
Severe pain and constriction about the heart, usually radiating to the left shoulder and down the left arm, creating a feeling of pressure in the anterior chest.
Term
cardiac tamponade
Definition
Compression of the heart caused by the accumulation of blood or other fluid within the pericardial sac. Prevents the ventricles from adequately filling or pumping blood.
Term
cardiomyopathy
Definition
Disease of the heart muscle itself, primarily affecting the pumping ability of the heart. Noninflammatory disease of the heart results in enlargement of the heart and dysfunction of the ventricles of the heart.
Term
congestive heart failure
Definition
Condition characterized by weakness, breathlessness, abdominal discomfort. Edema in the lower portions of the body resulting from the flow of the blood through the vessels being slowed and the outflow of blood from the left side of the hear is reduced.
Term
coronary artery disease
Definition
The narrowing of the coronary arteries to the extent that adequate blood supply to the myocardium is prevented.
Term
endocarditis
Definition
Inflammation of the membrane lining of the valves and chambers of the heart caused by direct invasion of bacteria or other organisms and leading to deformity of the valve cusps.
Term
hypertensive heart disease
Definition
A result of long-term hypertension. The heart is affected because it must work against increased resistance due to increased pressure in the arteries.
Term
mitral valve prolapse
Definition
Drooping of one or both cusps of the mitral valve back into the left atrium during ventricular systole, resulting in incomplete closure of the valve mitral insufficiency.
Term
myocardial infarction
Definition
Heart attack; a condition caused by occlusion of one or more of the coronary arteries.
Term
myocarditis
Definition
Inflammation of the myocardium may be caused by viral or bacterial infections or may be a result of systemic diseases such as rheumatic fever. May also be caused by fungal infections, serum sickness, or a chemical agent
Term
pericarditis
Definition
Inflammation of the pericardium. May be acute or chronic.
Term
rheumatic fever
Definition
An inflammatory disease that may develop as a delayed reaction to insufficiently treated group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection of the upper respiratory tract.
Term
aneurysm
Definition
A localized dilation of an artery formed at a weak point in the vessel wall. This weakened area balloons out with each pulsation of the artery.
Term
arteriosclerosis
Definition
An arterial condition in which there is thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries, resulting in decreased blood supply especially to the lower extremities and cerebrum. Also called hardening of the arteries.
Term
hypertension
Definition
A condition in which the patient has a higher blood pressure than that judged to be normal
Term
essential hypertension
Definition
Also called primary hypertension. Accounts for approximately 90% of all hypertension. Has no single known cause
Term
malignant hypertension
Definition
Hypertension that is severe and rapidly progressive. Most common in African American men under 40. Characterized by a diastolic pressure higher than 120 mmHg, severe headaches, confusion, and blurred vision.
Term
peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Definition
Obstruction of the arteries in the extremities. Leading cause is atherosclerosis, which leads to narrowing of the lumen of the artery.
Term
Raynaud's phenomenon
Definition
Intermittent attacks of vasoconstriction of the arterioles, followed by cyanosis and then redness before returning to normal color; initiated by exposure to cold or emotional disturbance.
Term
thrombophlebitis
Definition
Inflammation of a vein associated with the formation of a thrombus; usually occurs in an extremity, most frequently the leg.
Term
varicose veins
Definition
Enlarged, superficial veins; a twisted vein with incompetent valves.
Term
secondary hypertension
Definition
Less than 10% of all hypertension. Caused by an underlying condition.
Term
superficial thrombophlebitis
Definition
Usually obvious, accompanied by a cordlike or thready appearance to the vessel.
Term
deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Definition
Occurs primarily in the lower legs, thighs, and pelvic area. Characterized by aching or cramping pain in the legs.
Term
sclerotherapy
Definition
Form of treatment for varicose veins that involves the injection of a chemical irritant into the vein.
Term
vein stripping
Definition
A surgical procedure for varicose veins that consists of ligation of the saphenous vein.
Term
venous insufficiency
Definition
An abnormal circulatory condition characterized by decreased return of venous blood from the legs to the trunk of the body.
Term
coarctation of the aorta
Definition
A congenital heart defect characterized by a localized narrowing of the aorta, which results in increased blood pressure in the upper extremities and decreased blood pressure in the lower extremities.
Term
patent ductus arteriosus
Definition
An abnormal opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta caused by failure of the fetal ductus arteriosus to close after birth. Seen primarily in premature infants.
Term
tetralogy of Fallot
Definition
A congenital heart anomaly that consists of four defects: pulmonary stenosis, interventricular septal defect, dextroposition of the aorta so that it receives blood from both ventricles, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle.
Term
transposition of the great vessels
Definition
A condition in which the two major arteries of the heart are reversed in position, which results in two noncommunicating circulatory systems.
Term
arrhythmia
Definition
Any deviation from the normal pattern of the heartbeat.
Term
atrial flutter
Definition
Condition in which the contractions of the atria become extremely rapid, at the rate of between 250 and 350 beats per minute.
Term
atrial fibrillation
Definition
Extremely rapid, incomplete contractions of the atria resulting in disorganized and uncoordinated twitching of the atria.
Term
ventricular fibrillation
Definition
A condition similar to atrial fibrillation, which results in rapid, tremulous, and ineffectual contractions of the ventricles. The patient has no audible heartbeat, no palpable pulse, no respiration, and no blood circulation. If prolonged, this will lead to cardiac arrest.
Term
heart block (AV)
Definition
A interference with the normal conduction of electric impulses that control activity of the heart muscle.
Term
ventricular tachycardia
Definition
A condition in which the ventricles of the hear beat at a rate greater than 100 beats per minute; characterized by three or more consecutive premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). Also known as V-tach (VT)
Term
angiography
Definition
X-ray visualization of the internal anatomy of the heart and blood vessels after introducing a radiopaque substance that promotes the imaging of internal structures that are otherwise difficult to see on x-ray film.
Term
cardiac catheterization
Definition
A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is introduced into a large vein or artery and then threaded through the circulatory system to the heart. Used to obtain detailed information about the structure and function of the heart chambers, valves, and the great vessels.
Term
cardiac enzymes test
Definition
Performed on samples of blood obtained by venipuncture to determine the presence of damage to the myocardial muscle.
Term
computed axial tomography (CAT)
Definition
A diagnostic x-ray technique that uses ionizing radiation to produce a cross-sectional image of the body. Often used to detect aneurysms of the aorta.
Term
echocardiography
Definition
A diagnostic procedure for studying the structure and motion of the heart. Useful in evaluating structural and functional changes in a variety of heart disorders.
Term
electrocardiogram
Definition
A graphic record of the electrical action of the heart as reflected from various angles to the surface of the skin. Known as an EKG or ECG
Term
event monitor
Definition
Similar to the Holter monitor in that it also records the electrical activity of the heart while the patient goes about usual daily activities. Can be used for a longer period of time.
Term
exercise stress testing
Definition
Means of assessing cardiac function by subjecting the patient to carefully controlled amounts of physical stress.
Term
Holter monitoring
Definition
A small, portable monitoring device that makes prolonged electrocardiograph recordings on a portable tape recorder. Continuous EKG (ambulatory EKG) is recorded on a magnetic tape recording while the patient conducts normal daily activities.
Term
implantable cardioverter defibrillator
Definition
Small, lightweight, electronic device placed under the skin or muscle in either the chest or abdomen to monitor the heart's rhythm. If an abnormal rhythm occurs, the ICD helps return the heart to its normal rhythm.
Term
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Definition
Involves the use of a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce imaging that is valuable in providing images of the heart, large blood vessels, brain, and soft tissue.
Term
positron emission tomography (PET)
Definition
Computerized X-ray technique that uses radioactive substances to examine the blood flow and the metabolic activity of various body structures, such as the heart and blood vessels. The patient is given doses of strong radioactive tracers by injection or inhalation. The radiation emitted is measured by the PET camera.
Term
serum lipid test
Definition
Measures the amount of fatty substances in a sample of blood obtained by venipuncture.
Term
thallium stress test
Definition
One of several nuclear stress tests, is a combination of exercise stress testing with thallium imaging to asses changes in coronary blood flow during exercise.
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