THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

I. Introduction

This activity manual deals with structures and functions of the cardiovascular system. The
laboratory exercises will help you examine the structures and functions of the organs involved.
The figures and illustrations will help you understand the processes and mechanisms involved.
II. Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Identify the structures involved in Cardiovascular System.
2. Describe the functions of the structures involved.
3. Describe the processes and mechanisms involved in the different types of
circulation.
4. Discuss the concepts on Blood Grouping, blood typing and, RH factor.

III. Concepts/Explanations
The heart is a muscular pump that drives the blood through the blood vessels. Slighty
bigger than a first, this organ is located between the lungs in the center and a bit to the left of the
midline of the body. The strokes (contractions) of this pump average about 72 per minute and
carried on unceasingly for lifetime. Figure 28 shows the structures of the heart.

Figure 28. Structures of the heart Figure 29. Structures of the blood vessels

Blood flows through pathways called blood vessels. The circulation of blood within these
vessels is called the vascular system. Oxygen-rich blood is distributed to tissues through arteries.
Veins carry the oxygen-poor blood or carbon-dioxide rich blood from tissues going to the heart.
The unloading of carbon dioxide and loading of oxygen take place within the capillaries (Fig 29).

Figure 30 shows the components of Intrinsic Conduction System. The heart muscles
contract independently. A built-in system in a heart tissue known as the intrinsic conduction system
or the nodal system, stimulates the heart muscles to depolarize. The depolarization runs in one
direction, starting from the atria to the ventricles. The impulse is triggered by sinoatrial node (SA
node) or known as the pacemaker. Impulse is further spread through the atria passing through the

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AV node. When atria relax, impulse is rapidly travelled through the bundle of His or AV bundle to
bundle branches, reaching the Purkinje fibers resulting ventricular contraction. This heart activity
resulted a single heartbeat.

Figure 30. The

Intrinsic Conduction
System
Figure 31. The Pulmonary
and Systemic Circulation

Figure 31 illustrates the Pulmonary circulation refers to blood flow pumped out from right
ventricle going through pulmonary trunk and further passes through pulmonary arteries reaching
the lungs. Systemic circulation is completed when oxygen-poor blood from tissues is transported
to the right atrium.

Blood constantly circulates throughout the body. Blood is made of essential components.
When it reaches the target organs and tissues, it transports oxygen, nutrients and passing other route
in transporting metabolic waste, carbon dioxide and other substances for excretion. Blood is
considered as a connective tissue; it is composed of two parts – plasma and formed elements.

Blood type A, B, AB and O is determined based on the antigen component of the blood
plasma. Blood type A contains antigen A, type B has antigen B, type AB contains both antigen A
and B, and type O has no antigen neither A or B. In ABO blood group, Blood type A contains anti-
B antibodies, and blood type B has anti-A antibodies in blood plasma. Blood type AB which has
antigen A and B, does not perform antibodies both anti-A and anti-B. Blood type O, which contains
no antigens A or B, both anti-A and anti-B antibodies are present in blood plasma.

There is a known second erythrocyte antigen called Rh. It is also known agglutinogen D
or Rh D Antigen. Any blood type with erythrocytes presence of Rh D antigen is called Rh positive
or Rh +, and erythrocytes lacks or absence of Rh D antigen is termed Rh negative or Rh -.

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IV. Laboratory Exercises

Before you begin the session, do the following:

o Read the chapter on Cardiovascular System in your textbook or module or go to

https://www.visiblebody.com/learn/circulatory
o Scan the objectives you are expected to accomplish during this laboratory session.
o Prepare the materials needed:
 Stethoscope
 Watch with a second hand
 Illustrations or charts of Cardiovascular System

Activity 1. Auscultating Heart Sounds

In this activity you are going to listen your own heart sounds or you may look for a partner
that you can auscultate his/her heart sounds. After completing the steps below, fill-out your
responses on the space provided.

Step 1. Do this activity by sitting on a chair comfortably. Ensure the environment is quiet.
Step 2. Fit snugly the ear pieces of stethoscope into your ears.
Step 3. Place the round part or the diaphragm of the stethoscope on your chest or to your
partner’s chest, medial to the left nipple at the 5th intercostal space.
Step 4. Describe the sounds you hear.

First Heart Sound: _____________________________________________

Second Heart Sound: ___________________________________________

Activity 1 clearly shows the concept of heart sounds. You were able to appreciate the
different heart sounds. Distinct sounds are heard in each heartbeat or cardiac cycle. The first heart
sound heard is “lub”, longer and louder sound, this is due to the closing of AV valves. Followed
by a short and sharp sound “dup”, due to the closing of semilunar valves.

To learn more, do the next activity.

Activity 2. Taking apical and radial pulse.

Step 1. After listening to heart sounds, count the heartbeat or the apical pulse in one full
minute using your watch.
Step 2. For the radial pulse palpate with your first two fingertips the artery located at the
lateral aspect of your partner’s wrist, just above the thumb. Count the pulse in one
full minute.
Step 3. Record the pulse rate.

Apical pulse: _______ beats per minute

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Radial pulse: _______ beats per minute

Is there any difference between apical and radial pulse? _____________

Describe the differences.

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Activity 2 helps you understand the physiology of arterial pulses. You were able to take
note the differences between apical and radial pulse. This tells you that blood is strongly pumped
out from the heart to the arteries.

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V. Laboratory Report Sheet/Checklist (To be submitted at the end of the activity/ies)

A. Using an illustration of the heart as guide, label the figure below. After labeling, answer
the given questions.

Figure 32. Structures of the heart

1. What are the receiving chambers of the heart? _________________________________

2. What blood vessels carry oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the lungs? ____________
3. What blood vessels carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left atrium?__________
4. Left ventricle discharges blood to the ___________, which to be distributed to branches of
arteries.
5. The right atrium receives blood from _________________ and ___________________.

B. Fill-out your answer on the space provided.

1. _________________ is known as the pacemaker of the heart.

2. SA and AV nodes are located in _____________________________________________.
3. Depolarization of Purkinje Fibers will cause ___________________________________.

C. Fill-out your answer on the space provided.

1. If a patient will receive blood transfusion that is not matched to patient’s blood type, what
will happen? Explain briefly. ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

2. What will happen if a Rh-negative person receives transfusion of Rh-positive blood?

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Name of Student: __________________________Year & Section: _______Date of Submission: _______

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