MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
1ère année Médecine / Pharmacie
Pr Achref Miry
2024 – 2025
Course 4
Cardiovascular System
(part 1)
Pr Achref MIRY
Achrafmiry1992@[Link]
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Anatomy and function
Blood vessels
• Types of Vessels:
1. Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart.
2. Arterioles: Smaller branches of arteries
leading to capillaries.
3. Capillaries: Smallest vessels, where blood-
tissue exchange occurs.
4. Venules: Small vessels that drain blood
from capillaries into veins.
5. Veins: Carry blood back to the heart.
• Oxygenation:
o Arteries (except pulmonary & umbilical)
carry oxygen-rich blood.
o Veins (except pulmonary & umbilical)
carry oxygen-poor blood.
• Structure & Function:
o Arteries: Thick, elastic walls, withstand
high pressure.
o Veins: Thinner, less elastic walls, contain
one-way valves to prevent backflow.
o Deep veins: Parallel arteries and share their
names.
One-way valves
Blood Supply to the Myocardium :
• Coronary Circulation: Supplies oxygen and
nutrients to the myocardium, as blood in the
heart chambers does not nourish the muscle.
• Main Arteries:
o Right Coronary Artery (RCA)
o Left Coronary Artery (LCA)
• Blood Flow Timing: Coronary arteries receive
blood only when the ventricles relax.
• Venous Drainage:
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o Blood from the myocardium drains into
cardiac veins.
o It then collects in the coronary sinus,
which empties into the right atrium near
the inferior vena cava.
Clinical aspects of the cardiovascular system
Atherosclerosis :
• Definition: Buildup of fatty plaques in the
arteries.
• Consequences: Vessel narrowing, ischemia,
loss of elasticity.
• Risk factors: Dyslipidemia (high LDL),
smoking, high blood pressure, poor diet,
inactivity, stress, heredity.
• Common locations: Coronary arteries, aorta,
carotid arteries, brain.
• Relation to arteriosclerosis: Most common
form, causing arterial wall hardening.
• Treatment: Similar to approaches for coronary
artery disease.
HDL vs LDL Coronary artery atherosclerosis Aortic atherosclerosis
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Carotid artery atherosclerosis Brain atherosclerosis
Thrombosis and Embolism :
• Thrombosis: Formation of a blood clot
(thrombus) within a vessel, leading to tissue
necrosis.
• Embolism: Blockage of a vessel by a thrombus
or other mass (embolus) carried in the
bloodstream.
• Types of Emboli: Blood clot, air
(injection/trauma), fat (bone fracture), bacteria,
or other solid materials.
• Common complications:
o Pulmonary embolism: A venous
thrombus travels to the lungs, causing a
life-threatening blockage.
o Stroke (CVA): An embolus from the
carotid artery blocks a cerebral vessel.
• Treatment: Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin,
newer oral drugs) reduce clot formation and
complications.
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Thrombosis and necrosis Embolism Pulmonary embolism
Aneurysm :
• Definition: Ballooning of a weakened arterial
wall due to atherosclerosis, malformation, or
injury.
• Complications: Rupture can cause hemorrhage;
cerebral artery rupture may lead to a stroke.
• Common locations : Abdominal aorta, carotid
arteries.
• Dissecting aneurysm: Blood enters and
separates the arterial wall layers, potentially
rupturing the vessel (most common in the
aorta).
• Treatment: Surgical graft replacement or stent
insertion to reinforce the artery.
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Abdominal aorta aneurysm Dissecting aneurysm Surgical graft
Stent insertion
Case study 1
• Patient: 65-year-old male
• Chief Complaint: Chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion
• Medical History:
o Hypertension
o Dyslipidemia (high LDL)
o Type 2 diabetes
o Smoking (20 pack-years)
o Family history of heart disease
• Clinical Examination:
o Blood pressure: 150/95 mmHg
o Reduced peripheral pulses
• Additional Tests:
o ECG: Ischemic changes
o Lipid Panel: High LDL
o Coronary Angiography: Coronary artery stenosis
• Diagnosis:
o Atherosclerosis with coronary artery disease (CAD)
o Moderate carotid artery involvement
• Management:
o Lifestyle changes: Smoking cessation, healthy diet, physical activity
o Medications: Statins, antihypertensives, aspirin, beta-blockers
o Intervention: Angioplasty with possible stent placement
• Prognosis: Favorable with regular follow-up and good treatment adherence.
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A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion. His medical history includes
hypertension, dyslipidemia with high LDL levels, type 2 diabetes, smoking (20 pack-years), and a family
history of heart disease. Clinical examination reveals high blood pressure (150/95 mmHg), a carotid bruit, and
reduced peripheral pulses. Further investigations show ischemic changes on ECG, elevated LDL in the lipid
panel, and coronary artery stenosis on angiography. The diagnosis is atherosclerosis with coronary artery
disease (CAD) and moderate carotid artery involvement. Management includes lifestyle modifications such as
smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity, along with medications like statins,
antihypertensives, aspirin, and beta-blockers. If necessary, an angioplasty with stent placement may be
performed. With proper adherence to treatment and regular follow-up, the prognosis remains favorable.
A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain and shortness of breath on exertion. His medical history
includes hypertension, dyslipidemia with high LDL levels, type 2 diabetes, smoking (20 pack-years), and a
family history of heart disease. Clinical examination reveals high blood pressure (150/95 mmHg), a carotid
bruit, and reduced peripheral pulses. Further investigations show ischemic changes on ECG, elevated LDL
in the lipid panel, and coronary artery stenosis on angiography. The diagnosis is atherosclerosis with
coronary artery disease (CAD) and moderate carotid artery involvement. Management includes lifestyle
modifications such as smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity, along with
medications like statins, antihypertensives, aspirin, and beta-blockers. If necessary, an angioplasty with stent
placement may be performed. With proper adherence to treatment and regular follow-up, the prognosis
remains favorable.
• presents with → comes in with, reports
• His medical history includes → he has a history of, his past medical history reveals
• with (indicating association) → accompanied by, alongside
• and (linking elements) → as well as, in addition to
• clinical examination reveals → physical examination shows, on examination, findings include
• Further investigations show → additional tests indicate, diagnostic findings demonstrate
• on (used for test results) → from, based on
• The diagnosis is → the patient is diagnosed with, findings confirm
• management includes → treatment consists of, the therapeutic plan involves
• such as → for example, including
• along with → together with, in combination with
• like (for listing examples) → for instance, such as
• if necessary → if required, if indicated
• may be performed → can be carried out, is considered when needed
• with proper adherence to → by following, through compliance with
• The prognosis remains → the outlook is, the expected outcome is
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