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Review of the Cardiovascular System

May 15, 2025

Cardiovascular System Review - Level Up RN

Introduction

  • Presenter: Cathy from Level Up RN
  • Series: Cardiovascular System Playlist
  • Accompanying resource: Medical-surgical nursing flashcards (2nd edition)
  • Goal: Teach key facts and concepts for nursing exams and clinical practice

Video Series Structure

  • Current Video & Next Two Videos: Anatomy and Physiology review of the cardiovascular system
  • Subsequent Videos: Diagnostic tests and disorders
  • Includes quizzes for knowledge checks at the end of each video

Importance of Understanding Anatomy & Physiology

  • Helps in understanding how the body system works
  • Facilitates critical thinking about symptoms when something goes wrong

Cardiovascular System Overview

  • Comprised of the heart and blood vessels
  • Heart: Muscular pump circulating ~5 liters of blood per minute
  • Blood Flow Path: Heart → Arteries → Arterioles → Capillaries → Venules → Veins → Back to Heart
  • Key Function:
    • Supply oxygen and nutrients to body cells
    • Remove metabolic waste at the capillaries

Heart Structure

  • Pericardium: Membrane surrounding the heart

    • "Peri" = around or enclosing
    • Related term: Pericarditis (inflammation of pericardium)
  • Heart Wall Layers:

    • Epicardium: Outer layer ("Epi" = upon or above)
    • Myocardium: Middle layer, responsible for pumping ("Myo" = muscle)
    • Endocardium: Inner layer ("Endo" = inner)

Chambers and Valves of the Heart

  • Chambers:

    • Right Atrium, Right Ventricle, Left Atrium, Left Ventricle
    • Separated by a septum
  • Valves:

    • Control blood flow; prevent backward flow
    • Tricuspid Valve: Right atrium & right ventricle ("Tri" hint: "Ri" for Right)
    • Mitral Valve: Left atrium & left ventricle
    • Pulmonic Valve: Right ventricle & pulmonary artery
    • Aortic Valve: Left ventricle & aorta

Blood Flow Through the Heart

  1. Right Atrium: Receives unoxygenated blood from:
    • Superior Vena Cava
    • Inferior Vena Cava
    • Coronary Sinus
  2. Blood passes through the Tricuspid ValveRight Ventricle
  3. Through Pulmonic ValvePulmonary Artery → Lungs (oxygenation)
  4. Returns to Left Atrium via Pulmonary Veins
  5. Through Mitral ValveLeft Ventricle
  6. Through Aortic ValveAorta → Body
  • Understanding this flow is crucial for understanding heart failure symptoms

Knowledge Check Quiz

  1. Membrane surrounding the heart?
    • Answer: Pericardium
  2. Inner layer of the heart?
    • Answer: Endocardium
  3. Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle?
    • Answer: Tricuspid Valve ("Tri" hint: "Ri" for Right)

Conclusion

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  • Suggestions to share the channel with classmates for additional support