BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
Cardiovascular System
In this module, we will cover the cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. As
usual, we will summarize the basic function of each system and work our way into
terminology specific to that system.
The cardiovascular system is made up of many different components working together
to get life-sustaining, oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues and rid the body of
carbon dioxide and waste products.
The Hear
The heart is the main organ of this system, and it is located just left of the midline of the
body within the chest cavity. In a healthy adult, the heart will beat anywhere between 60
and 100 beats per minute. The heart is housed in a fluid-filled sac called the
pericardium and can be divided into three major layers:
1. Endocardium: endo means “within”; the endocardium is the innermost layer of the
heart.
2. Epicardium: epi means “on”; the epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart.
3. Myocardium: myo means “muscle”; the myocardium is the thick middle layer of the
heart comprised of cardiac muscle tissue.
The heart can also be divided into four chambers:
1. Right and left atria: The upper chambers of the heart function as receiving stations
for blood coming from the body to the heart.
2. Right and left ventricles: The lower chambers are responsible for pumping blood
back out into the body.
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
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, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
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The heart contains four valves that ensure blood flows in the right direction and back
flow does not occur. The four valves are:
1. Bicuspid valve: Known as the mitral valve, it is located between the left atrium and
left ventricle.
2. Tricuspid valve: It is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
3. Pulmonary semilunar valve: It is located between the right ventricle and the
pulmonary artery.
4. Aortic semilunar valve: It is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
The Arterial & Venous Systems
While the heart is the driving force of the cardiovascular system, it would be unable to
serve the body without the arterial and venous systems. The arterial system is
comprised of arteries and arterioles. Starting with the largest artery, the aorta, this
system carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues via arteries to the
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
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, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
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arterioles and into the capillaries where gas exchange occurs. The pulmonary
artery is the exception to the rule in that it carries oxygen-deprived blood away from the
heart to the right and left lung to be oxygenated before it is returned back to the heart to
be pumped out to the tissues.
The venous system is comprised of veins and venules, which carry oxygen-depleted
blood from the tissues back to the heart. The blood from the head and upper body
empties into the superior vena cava (largest vein), while blood from the lower body
empties into the inferior vena cava. The pulmonary vein is, again, an exception to the
rule as it carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart to be pumped out
towards the tissues.
Blood
Finally, let’s take a closer look at the blood itself and break it down into its several
components. The blood’s four components are as follows:
1. Red blood cells, otherwise known as erythrocytes, carry oxygenated blood
throughout the body.
2. White blood cells, otherwise known as leukocytes, serve as part of the body’s
immune system fighting off infection and other pathogens.
3. Plasma is mostly comprised of water but also contains proteins, nutrients, waste
products, and gas.
4. Platelets prevent blood from escaping through compromised vessels by initiating
clotting process.
The movement of blood throughout the body can also be termed the cardiac cycle.
This cycle is jump-started by the heart’s natural pacemaker, or the sinoatrial node (SA
node). There are two phases of the cardiac cycle. Diastole is the resting period when
the heart rests and fills with blood. Systole is the work period when the heart contracts
to pump blood out into the arteries.
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
The following tables represent root words, prefixes, suffixes, and common pathologies
that relate to the cardiovascular system. Please note that many of these root words,
prefixes, and suffixes are review from Module 1; however, you should also be familiar
with new words specific to this system.
Table 5.1: Common Root Words Related to the Cardiovascular
System and Their Meanings
Root Word Meaning
Aort (o) Aorta
Angi (o)
Vessel
Vas (o)
Arteri (o) Artery
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
Cardiovascular System
In this module, we will cover the cardiovascular, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. As
usual, we will summarize the basic function of each system and work our way into
terminology specific to that system.
The cardiovascular system is made up of many different components working together
to get life-sustaining, oxygenated blood from the heart to the tissues and rid the body of
carbon dioxide and waste products.
The Hear
The heart is the main organ of this system, and it is located just left of the midline of the
body within the chest cavity. In a healthy adult, the heart will beat anywhere between 60
and 100 beats per minute. The heart is housed in a fluid-filled sac called the
pericardium and can be divided into three major layers:
1. Endocardium: endo means “within”; the endocardium is the innermost layer of the
heart.
2. Epicardium: epi means “on”; the epicardium is the outermost layer of the heart.
3. Myocardium: myo means “muscle”; the myocardium is the thick middle layer of the
heart comprised of cardiac muscle tissue.
The heart can also be divided into four chambers:
1. Right and left atria: The upper chambers of the heart function as receiving stations
for blood coming from the body to the heart.
2. Right and left ventricles: The lower chambers are responsible for pumping blood
back out into the body.
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
The heart contains four valves that ensure blood flows in the right direction and back
flow does not occur. The four valves are:
1. Bicuspid valve: Known as the mitral valve, it is located between the left atrium and
left ventricle.
2. Tricuspid valve: It is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
3. Pulmonary semilunar valve: It is located between the right ventricle and the
pulmonary artery.
4. Aortic semilunar valve: It is located between the left ventricle and the aorta.
The Arterial & Venous Systems
While the heart is the driving force of the cardiovascular system, it would be unable to
serve the body without the arterial and venous systems. The arterial system is
comprised of arteries and arterioles. Starting with the largest artery, the aorta, this
system carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues via arteries to the
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
arterioles and into the capillaries where gas exchange occurs. The pulmonary
artery is the exception to the rule in that it carries oxygen-deprived blood away from the
heart to the right and left lung to be oxygenated before it is returned back to the heart to
be pumped out to the tissues.
The venous system is comprised of veins and venules, which carry oxygen-depleted
blood from the tissues back to the heart. The blood from the head and upper body
empties into the superior vena cava (largest vein), while blood from the lower body
empties into the inferior vena cava. The pulmonary vein is, again, an exception to the
rule as it carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart to be pumped out
towards the tissues.
Blood
Finally, let’s take a closer look at the blood itself and break it down into its several
components. The blood’s four components are as follows:
1. Red blood cells, otherwise known as erythrocytes, carry oxygenated blood
throughout the body.
2. White blood cells, otherwise known as leukocytes, serve as part of the body’s
immune system fighting off infection and other pathogens.
3. Plasma is mostly comprised of water but also contains proteins, nutrients, waste
products, and gas.
4. Platelets prevent blood from escaping through compromised vessels by initiating
clotting process.
The movement of blood throughout the body can also be termed the cardiac cycle.
This cycle is jump-started by the heart’s natural pacemaker, or the sinoatrial node (SA
node). There are two phases of the cardiac cycle. Diastole is the resting period when
the heart rests and fills with blood. Systole is the work period when the heart contracts
to pump blood out into the arteries.
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
, BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY
GUIDE/PORTAGE LEARNING
The following tables represent root words, prefixes, suffixes, and common pathologies
that relate to the cardiovascular system. Please note that many of these root words,
prefixes, and suffixes are review from Module 1; however, you should also be familiar
with new words specific to this system.
Table 5.1: Common Root Words Related to the Cardiovascular
System and Their Meanings
Root Word Meaning
Aort (o) Aorta
Angi (o)
Vessel
Vas (o)
Arteri (o) Artery
BIOD 103 MEDTERM MODULE 5 STUDY GUIDE/PORTAGE
LEARNING
