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Glossary
P
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Pulmonary circulation |
A loop of blood vessels that circles between your heart and lungs. The heart pumps blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen, and the oxygen-rich blood is returned to the heart to be distributed to the body. |
| pulmonary edema |
fluid buildup in the lungs that causes difficulty breathing, and sometimes coughing up blood, sweating, anxiety, and pale skin |
| Pulmonary embolism |
a blood clot that formed in the veins and traveled through the bloodstream to block a lung artery; a potentially deadly complication of deep vein thrombosis |
| Pulmonary fibrosis |
Scarring in the lungs. |
| Pulmonary hypertension |
Abnormally high blood pressure occurring in the arteries that supply blood to the lungs. |
| Pulmonary regurgitation (insufficiency) |
Failure of the pulmonary valve to close properly, allowing blood to flow backwards into the right ventricle. |
| Pulmonary stenosis |
The narrowing or obstruction of the pulmonary artery or valve, which hinders the flow of blood to the lungs. |
| Pulmonary valve |
One of four heart valves, it maintains the one-way flow of blood from the heart to the lungs, opening when blood is ejected from the right ventricle and shutting as blood pressure falls. |
| Pulse |
The expansion and contraction of a blood vessel, especially an artery. |
| pulse volume recording (PVR) |
a diagnostic test for peripheral artery disease that uses pressurized cuffs to measure blood flow in the leg arteries |
| Purkinje fibers |
Conduction fibers forming a network in the lower chambers of the heart that carry electrical impulses to the ventricle walls. |
