Introduction to Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology

Abstract

The cardiovascular system is one of the most critical and disease-prone organ systems in the body. The heart and surrounding blood vessels are responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood from the lungs throughout the body and returning deoxygenated blood from the body toward the lungs. Cessation or decreased function of this system may occur through many mechanisms involving the nerves supplying the heart, the muscle of the heart itself, and the blood vessels feeding the heart and surrounding organs. In this chapter, we discuss the anatomy of the cardiovascular system, pathology that may affect its function, and tests that may be done to detect and prevent such disease. This chapter includes discussion of coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. These diseases will be described from both the basic and clinical perspectives to lay the foundation for a more detailed discussion of such topics in later chapters of this handbook.