CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM
BY DR HIRA ASIF
THE HEART
• The heart is located between the lungs, with its
point or apex directed toward the left.
• The thick muscle layer of the heart wall is the
myocardium.
• This is lined on the inside with a thin endocardium
and is covered on the outside with a thin
epicardium.
• The heart is contained within a fibrous sac, the
pericardium.
• Each of the upper receiving chambers of the heart is
an atrium (plural, atria). Each of the lower pumping
• The chambers of the heart are divided by walls, each of
which is called a septum.
• The interventricular septum separates the two ventricles; the
interatrial septum divides the two atria.
• There is also a septum between the atrium and ventricle on
each side.
• The heart pumps blood through two circuits. The right side
pumps blood to the lungs to be oxygenated through the
pulmonary circuit.
• The left side pumps to the remainder of the body through the
systemic circuit
Blood Flow Through the Heart
• The blood from right atrium then enters the right ventricle
and is pumped to the lungs through the pulmonary artery.
• Blood returns from the lungs high in oxygen and enters
the left atrium through the pulmonary veins.
• From here it enters the left ventricle and is forcefully
pumped into the aorta to be distributed to all tissues.
• Blood is kept moving in a forward direction by one-way
valves.
• The valve in the septum between the right atrium and
ventricle is the tricuspid valve the valve in the septum
between the left atrium and ventricle is the bicuspid valve
usually called the mitral valve.
• The valves leading into the pulmonary artery and the aorta
have three cusps. Each cusp is shaped like a half-moon, so
these valves are described as Semilunar Valves.
• The valve at the entrance to the pulmonary artery is
specifically named the pulmonic valve; the valve at the
entrance to the aorta is the aortic valve.
• Heart sounds are produced as the heart functions. The loudest
of these, the familiar lubb and dupp that can be heard
through the chest wall, are produced by alternate closing of
the valves.
• The first heart sound (S1) is heard when the valves
between the chambers close.
• The second heart sound (S2) is produced when the
valves leading into the aorta and pulmonary artery
close.
The Heartbeat
• Each contraction of the heart, termed systole is followed
by a relaxation phase, diastole during which the
chambers fill.
• Each time the heart beats, both atria contract and
immediately thereafter both ventricles contract.
• The wave of increased pressure produced in the vessels
each time the ventricles contract is the pulse.
• Contractions are stimulated by a built-in system that
regularly transmits electrical impulses through the heart.
The components of this conduction system include:
• The SinoAtrial SA Node.
• The Atrioventricular (AV) node.
• The AV bundle (bundle of His).
• The left and right bundle branches.
• Purkinje Fibers.
Although the heart itself generates the heartbeat,
factors such as nervous system stimulation,
hormones, and drugs can influence the rate and the
force of heart contractions.
Blood Pressure
• Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the
wall of a blood vessel.
• It is commonly measured in a large artery with an inflatable
cuff known as a blood pressure cuff or blood pressure
apparatus, but technically called a Sphygmomanometer.
• Both systolic and diastolic pressures are measured and
reported as systolic then diastolic separated by a slash,
such as 120/80.
• Pressure is expressed as millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
The Vascular System
The vascular system consists of:
Arteries: That carry blood away from the heart.
Arterioles are small arteries that lead into the
capillaries.
Capillaries: The smallest vessels, through which
exchanges take place between the blood and the
tissues.
Veins: That carry blood back to the heart. The small
• Nervous system stimulation can cause the diameter of a
vessel to increase (vasodilation) or decrease
(vasoconstriction).
• These changes alter blood flow to the tissues and affect
blood pressure
Roots for the Heart
ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE DEFINITION OF
EXAMPLE
Cardi/o heart cardiomyopathy any disease of
the heart
muscle
atri/o atrium atriotomy surgical incision
of an atrium
ventricul/o cavity, ventricle supraventricular above a
ventricle
valv/o, valvul/o valve valvectomy surgical removal
of a valve
Roots for the Blood Vessels
ROOT MEANING EXAMPLE DEFINITION OF
EXAMPLE
angi/o* vessel angiopathy any disease of
blood vessels
vas/o, vascul/o vessel vasodilation widening of a
blood vessel
aort/o aorta aortoptosis downward
displacement of
the aorta
Clinical Aspects of the Circulatory
System
ATHEROSCLEROSIS
• The accumulation of fatty deposits within the lining of an
artery is termed atherosclerosis.
• This type of deposit, called a plaque begins to form when a
vessel receives tiny injuries, usually at a point of branching.
• Plaques gradually thicken and harden with fibrous material,
cells, and other deposits, restricting the lumen (opening) of
the vessel and reducing blood flow to the tissues, a
condition known as ischemia.
• A major risk factor for the development of
atherosclerosis is dyslipidemia, abnormally high levels
or imbalance in lipoproteins that are carried in the
blood, especially high levels of cholesterol containing
low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
• Other risk factors for atherosclerosis include smoking,
high blood pressure, poor diet, inactivity, stress, and
family history of the disorder.
• Atherosclerosis may involve any arteries, but most of its
effects are seen in the coronary vessels of the heart, the
aorta, the carotid arteries in the neck, and vessels in the
brain.
