Glossary of Physiology Terms

Acetylcholine

ACh

Acetylcholine (ACh) is a chemical neurotransmitter used by the central nervous system (CNS) as well as the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Acetylcholine is a classical neurotransmitter and, in fact, it was the first of the classic neurotransmitters to be discovered. It was discovered in 1914 by Henry Hallett Dale while conducting experiments on the heart.

Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter used by the somatic division of the nervous system at the neuromuscular junction (where a somatic motor neuron makes synaptic contact with a skeletal muscle cell). Acetylcholine is also used extensively by both branches of the autonomic nervous system; sympathetic and parasympathetic. It is the primary neurotransmitter released in autonomic ganglia by preganglionic autonomic neurons. It is also the primary neurotransmitter released by parasympathetic postganglionic neurons. A few sympathetic postganglionic neurons also release acetylcholine. The diverse actions of acetylcholine are exerted via the activation of nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors.

Acetylcholine (Wikipedia)

Aorta

The large blood vessel (artery) that receives the output of the left ventricle of the heart. The aorta is the first and largest (in diameter) artery of the systemic circulation.

Following ventricular contraction (systole), hydrostatic pressure within the ventricle exceeds the pressure in the aorta, which forces blood out of the left ventricle, through the aortic semilunar valve, and into the aorta. As the ventricle relaxes during diastole, the pressure within the left ventricle drops to a level below that in the aorta. At this point, the aortic semilunar valve closes, which prevents the backflow of blood from the aorta to the left ventricle.

Bicuspid valve

The one-way valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. It is also known as the left atrioventricular valve or mitral valve.

The direction of blood flow through the bicuspid valve is from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Left atrioventricular valve
Mitral valve

Cardiac output

CO

Cardiac output is defined as the volume of blood pumped every minute by each (left or right) ventricle of the heart. It is generally reported in L/min or mL/min.

Cardiac output (CO) is the product of heart rate (HR) and stroke volume (SV). Thus,

CO = HR × SV

Heart rate is defined as the number of heart contractions per minute. Stroke volume is the volume of blood pumped per ventricular contraction.

For a typical resting adult human being at rest, CO is approximately 5 L/min.

CO = 70 contractions/min × 70 mL/contraction = 4,900 mL/min

Cardiac skeleton

Thick connective tissue that separates the atria and the ventricles. It is also referred to as fibrous skeleton of the heart. Despite its name, it is important to note that there is no bone in this tissue.

Electrocardiogram

ECG or EKG

A recording of the electrical activity of the heart measured by placing multiple (3 to 10) electrodes on the surface of the skin.

Left atrioventricular valve

The one-way valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. It is also known as the bicuspid valve or mitral valve.

The direction of blood flow through the left atrioventricular valve is from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Bicuspid valve
Mitral valve

Mitral valve

The one-way valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. It is also known as the left atrioventricular valve or bicuspid valve.

The direction of blood flow through the mitral valve is from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Left atrioventricular valve
Bicuspid valve

Ouabain

Ouabain binds to and inhibits the transport activity of the Na⁺/K⁺/ATPase (i.e., sodium pump).

Ouabain is plant derived and belongs to the class of drugs referred to as cardiac glycosides. Similar to other cardiac glycosides, ouabain increase heart muscle contractility. However, ouabain is used only experimentally and not in humans (as for example digoxin is for the treatment of congestive heart failure).

There is some evidence that ouabain may be produced endogenously in humans.

Vanadate

Ouabain (Wikipedia)

Phonocardiogram

PCG

A recording of the sounds produced by the heart during the cardiac cycle. The main sounds recorded are those associated with turbulent blood flow caused by the closure of heart valves.

Right atrioventricular valve

The one-way valve between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. It is also known as the tricuspid valve.

The direction of blood flow through the right atrioventricular valve is from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Tricuspid valve

Tricuspid valve

The one-way valve between the right atrium and right ventricle of the heart. It is also known as the right atrioventricular valve.

The direction of blood flow through the tricuspid valve is from the right atrium to the right ventricle.

Tricuspid valve