Descriptionary

congestive heart failure the inability of the heart to efficiently pump all the blood returned to it, causing blood to back up in the veins and fluid to accumulate in body tissues.

coronary arteries the two arteries arising from the aorta that provide blood to the heart muscle.

coronary artery disease narrowing of the coronary arteries that results in reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

coronary bypass surgery surgery to improve blood flow to the heart muscle.

coronary occlusion an obstruction in one of the

coronary arteries that slows or reduces blood flow to part of the heart muscle. Also known as coronary thrombosis.

cyanosis blueness of the skin, a sign of insufficient oxygen in the blood.

diastolic blood pressure the lowest blood pres­sure in the arteries, measured between beats of the heart.

digitalis a drug that strengthens the contraction of the heart muscle, helping to eliminate the accumula­tion of fluids in body parts related to congestive heart failure.

echocardiography a diagnostic technique using sound pulses and echoes to explore electronically the surfaces of the heart.

edema the accumulation of fluid in body tissues, caused by congestive heart failure.

electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) a read-out of elec­trical impulses produced by the heart.

embolus a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel in one part of the body and then is carried to another part of the body.

endarterectomy surgical removal of plaque depos­its in arteries.

fibrillation rapid, out-of-control contraction of individual heart muscle fibers, resulting in a partial or complete loss of pumping power in the chamber affected.

heart attack death of or damage to part of the heart muscle due to insufficient blood supply.

heart murmur extra "whishing" sound heard with heartbeat, caused by turbulence in bloodstream; a possible sign of disease.

hypertension high blood pressure.

ischemia decreased blood flow to an organ due to a restriction or obstruction of an artery.

ischemic heart disease coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease.

lipid a fatty substance insoluble in blood and par­tially responsible for clogging arteries.

mitral valve the heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle.

myocardial infarction heart attack.

myocardial ischemia insufficient blood flow to part of the heart muscle.

myocardium the muscular wall of the heart that contracts and relaxes as it pumps blood.

nitroglycerin a drug that causes blood vessels to widen and therefore increase blood flow, used in the treatment of angina pectoris.

open heart surgery surgery performed on the opened heart while blood flow is diverted through a heart-lung machine.

pericarditis inflammation of the outer membrane surrounding the heart.

pericardium the outer membrane that surrounds the heart.

peripheral vascular disease diseased or clogged arteries and veins in the arms and legs.

plaque deposits of fat, cholesterol, and other sub­stances in the linings of arteries.

pulmonary pertaining to the lungs.

pulmonary valve the heart valve between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery.

rheumatic heart disease damage to the heart caused by bouts of rheumatic fever.

silent ischemia episodes of ischemia without accom­panying pain.

sinoatrial node a mass of cells in the top of the right atrium that produces electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract.

sphygmomanometer an instrument used for mea­suring blood pressure.

Name

acetabular acromial alveolar angular

aorta,

abdominal

aorta, arch

aorta, thoracic

appendicular

auditory auricular

axillary

stenosis the narrowing or constriction of an open­ing such as a blood vessel.

Area Supplied

hip joint, top of thighbone shoulder and upper back gums, teeth, and chewing muscles muscles that open and close eyelids; muscles controlling some facial expressions

abdominal wall, diaphragm, abdominal organs, legs

head, neck, arms

chest, lungs, esophagus, diaphragm

first portion of large intestine; appendix

inner ear

middle and outer ear, muscles of the lower skull and neck, scalp; salivary gland

systolic blood pressure the highest blood pressure in the arteries, measured when the heart contracts or beats.

tachycardia excessively rapid heartbeat.

thrombolysis the breaking up of a blood clot.

thrombosis the formation or presence of a blood clot in a blood vessel or cavity of the heart.

thrombus a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel or cavity of the heart.