| A | B |
|---|
| arteries | blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart |
| atrium | upper chamber of the heart |
| ventricle | thick walled, lower chamber of the heart |
| systemic circulation | blood flow between heart and body tissues |
| pulmonary circulation | blood flow between heart and lungs |
| veins | blood vessels which carry blood to the heart |
| aorta | largest artery in the body |
| vena cava | largest vein in the body; has superior and inferior branches |
| pericardium | membrane surrounding the heart; has three layers |
| tricuspid and mitral valves | leaflet valves between atria and ventricle |
| pulmonary and aortic valves | semilunar valves which prevent backflow into the ventricles |
| endocardium | smooth inner lining of the heart; epithelial tissue |
| capillaries | smallest blood vessels; site of gas and nutrient exchange |
| plasma | liquid component of blood |
| platelets | cell fragments essential in the blood clotting process |
| blood pressure | force of blood pushing on walls of blood vessels |
| red blood cells | oxygen-carrying cells in the blood |
| white blood cells | protective cells in blood and body tissues; part of immune system |
| sinoatrial (SA) node | natural pacemaker of the heart |
| myocardium | heart muscle |
