Download Circulation glossary File

Blood
Antigens
The unique proteins on the surface of a cell. They are
recognised by the immune system as ‘self’ or ‘non-self’.
Blood
Liquid that transports nutrients and oxygen to tissues and
removes wastes. Contains red and white blood cells,
plasma and platelets.
Blood plasma
The clear yellow liquid part of the blood which carries
dissolved substances and blood cells around the body.
Fibrin
Insoluble protein that creates a mesh and catches blood
cells to produce a blood clot
Fibrinogen
Soluble protein in blood plasma that turns to fibrin when
activated by clotting mechanisms
Immune
system
The body system which recognises and destroys foreign
tissue such as invading pathogens.
Immunisation
Giving a vaccine which allows immunity to develop
without exposure to the disease itself.
Lymphocytes
White blood cells that destroy pathogens by producing
antibodies to them
Oxyhaemoglo
bin
The molecule formed when haemoglobin binds to oxygen
molecules.
Pathogen
A harmful micro-organism
Phagocytes
white blood cells that engulf and digest harmful bacteria
and other pathogens
Phagocytosis
The process of engulfing and ingesting foreign particles,
such as bacteria, by phagocytes such as the white blood
cells.
Platelets
Cell fragments present in blood that release chemicals to
make blood clot when we cut ourselves
Red blood
cells
Blood cells which contain the red pigment haemoglobin.
They are biconcave discs in shape and they give the blood
its red colour.
Vaccination
A biological preparation that gives artificial immunity to a
disease without contracting the disease itself
White blood
cells
Lymphocytes and phagocytes
Blood
vessels
Artery
Thick-walled blood vessel carrying blood away from the
heart
Blood vessels
The tubes which carry blood around the body, i.e. arteries,
veins and capillaries.
Capillaries
Tiny blood vessels specialized for exchanging materials by
diffusion
Lumen
Space in the centre of a tube, e.g. a blood vessel or the
intestine
Vein
Blood vessel with a wide lumen and valves that carries
blood towards the heart
Circulati
on
Double
circulation
High pressure systemic circulation moves blood around
the body, low pressure circulation (from right side of
heart) moves blood around the lungs
Pulmonary
artery
Blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the
heart to the lungs
Pulmonary
vein
Blood vessel that carried oxygenated blood from the lungs
to the heart
Vena cava
The vein carrying blood from all of the body, apart from
the lungs, to the heart
Aorta
The main artery through which blood passes from the
heart to the body
Renal artery
The artery supplying blood to the kidneys
Renal vein
The artery taking blood away from the kidneys
Hepatic artery
The artery supplying blood to the liver
Hepatic vein
The artery taking blood away from the liver
Hepatic portal
vein
The artery carrying absorbed nutrients from the small
intestine to the liver
Heart
Coronary
arteries
Arteries that deliver blood to the heart muscles
Coronary
heart disease
Disease in which the coronary arteries get blocked or
damaged
Ventricle
Chamber that pumps blood out of the heart into an artery
Atrium
Chamber that receives blood into the heart from a vein
Semilunar
valve
Valve between the ventricle and the artery it pumps blood
into. Closes to prevent blood flowing backwards from the
artery.
Tricuspid
valve
Valve between the right atrium and right ventricle, which
prevents blood flowing backwards into the atrium when
the ventricle muscle contracts
Bicuspid valve
Valve between the left atrium and left ventricle, which
prevents blood flowing backwards into the atrium when
the ventricle muscle contracts
Heart
Muscular organ that pumps blood to the lungs and around
the body.
Heart
rate
Medulla
Part of the brain that controls important body function
such as breathing and heart rate
Adrenaline
Hormone released in stressful situations that increases the
heart rate