Medical Terminology & Anatomy Flashcards

The term 'aortic regurgitation' means:

Answer: Backward leakage of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle

Aortic regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close completely, allowing diastolic backflow into the left ventricle.

The chordae tendineae are fibrous cords that connect:

Answer: The papillary muscles to the AV valve leaflets

Chordae tendineae attach the papillary muscles to the leaflets of the mitral and tricuspid valves, preventing prolapse.

The prefix 'peri-' in 'pericardium' means:

Answer: Around or surrounding

The pericardium is the sac that surrounds and protects the heart, with 'peri-' meaning around.

What is the anatomical name for the 'pacemaker' of the heart?

Answer: Sinoatrial (SA) node

The sinoatrial node, located in the right atrium, spontaneously depolarizes at the highest rate and initiates the normal cardiac impulse.

The term 'cardiomegaly' refers to:

Answer: Enlargement of the heart

Cardiomegaly means abnormal enlargement of the heart, detectable on chest X-ray or imaging.

The pulmonary veins carry blood that is:

Answer: Oxygenated, from the lungs to the left atrium

The four pulmonary veins are unique among veins in carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium.

In cardiovascular anatomy, the term 'semilunar' describes:

Answer: The crescent-shaped leaflets of the aortic and pulmonary valves

The aortic and pulmonary valves are called semilunar valves because their three cusps have a half-moon (semilunar) shape.