155CHAPTER 5 Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe the type of medical treatment the cardiologist, vascular surgeon, and immunologist
provide. - Identify the structures of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems by labeling them on anatomical
illustrations. - Describe the primary functions of the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
- Describe diseases, conditions, and procedures related to the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
- Apply your word-building skills by constructing various medical terms related to the cardiovas-
cular and lymphatic systems. - Describe common abbreviations and symbols related to the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.
- Recognize, define, pronounce, and spell terms correctly.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of this chapter by successfully completing the frames, reviews,
and medical report evaluations.
Medical Specialties
Cardiology
The medical specialty of cardiologyencompasses the treatment of heart disease. Generally, three types of cardiology spe-
cialists provide medical care: the cardiologist, the pediatric cardiologist, and the cardiothoracic surgeon. The cardiologist
specializes in treating adults, and the pediatric cardiologistspecializes in treating infants, children, and teenagers. The
cardiologist and pediatric cardiologist provide nonsurgical treatments to detect, prevent, and treat heart and vascular dis-
eases, whereas the cardiothoracic surgeonperforms surgeries to treat cardiovascular disorders. Some of these critical,
lifesaving surgeries include coronary artery bypass, valve replacement or repairs, heart transplants, and repairs of complex
heart problems present from birth (congenital heart disease). An interventional cardiologistperforms other invasive
procedures, such as angioplasty, pacemaker insertion, and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator insertion. The physician
who further specializes in surgical treatment of blood vessels and vascular disorders is a vascular surgeon.
Immunology
Immunologyis the medical specialty encompassing the study of the immune system and its functions. The immune
system is the body’s defense against cancer and foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. The ability to fight off
disease and protect the body depends on an adequate functioning immune response. Immunologists are physicians
who treat autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases, cancer, or patients who are undergoing bone marrow, organ,
or stem cell transplantation.