3. Applied Learning Outcomes
Use the terminology associated
with the cardiovascular system
Learn about the following:
• Blood vessel function and
structure
• Circulatory system pathways
• Heart function and structure
• Electrocardiography principles
Understand the aging and
pathology of the
cardiovascular system
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
4. Overview
Cardiovascular System:
Refers to the heart and
blood vessels
Heart: The hollow muscular
organ that pumps blood
throughout the body
Blood Vessels: A part of the
cardiovascular system that
carries blood throughout
the body
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
5. Circulatory System Vessels
The circulatory system is composed of three major
types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and
capillaries.
Hydrostatic pressure
—the pressure of the
water that is circulated
in the blood and
tissues—permits the
exchange of materials.
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
6. Structure of the Human Heart
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
7. Heart Function
One pumping action of the heart is called the
cardiac cycle. Diastole is the filling of the atria
and ventricles; systole is the emptying of the
ventricles.
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
9. Wellness and Illness over
the Life Span
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system affect either
blood vessels or the heart. Common vascular
diseases disrupt blood flow; common heart
diseases prevent the chambers and/or valves from
working properly.
• The heart becomes more susceptible to damage as
a person ages. Arterial stiffening is a common
event associated with cardiovascular system
aging.
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
10. Summary
The cardiovascular system is responsible for
distributing such resources as nutrients and
oxygen to the other organ systems. Its ability
to do this depends on the proper functioning
of blood vessels and the heart.
The heart relies on nervous system impulses
and coordinated signals from the heart’s
conduction system.
Some cardiovascular degeneration is due to
changes that occur with age; however,
lifestyle is the major contributing factor to
cardiovascular system aging.
Chapter 11 – The Cardiovascular System
Editor's Notes
The cardiovascular system is also known as the “Circulatory System.” Circulatory System: Pertains to blood circulation, blood vessels, and the heart
Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood from the body to the heart Capillary: A narrow, thin-walled blood vessel that connects an artery to a vein
The heart is composed of four chambers that are separated by a septum into two halves. The left half of the heart controls systemic circulation [circulation that supplies blood to all parts of the body except the lungs]; the right half controls pulmonary circulation [circulation that supplies blood to the lungs]. The four major blood vessels are the aorta, the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary veins, and the venae cavae.
See page 425-427 of the text for a detailed description of the cardiac cycle.
The P, Q, R, S, and T waves make up the wave of a cardiac cycle. The QRS complex, P-R interval, Q-T interval, and S-T interval are indicators of depolarization and repolarization. Depolarization: The change in a neuron’s membrane potential to a more positive potential Repolariation: A change in a neuron’s membrane potential that returns the potential to a negative value
