1.3 - Blood Vessels Flashcards
What is the function of the vena cava?
brings deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart
What is the function of the pulmonary artery?
takes blood from the heart to the lungs
What is the function of the pulmonary vein?
brings oxygenated blood from the lungs tothe heart
Why is the atria thin-walled and elastic?
so they can stretch when filled with blood
Why do the ventricles have thick muscular walls?
To pump blood under pressure
Why is the left ventricle thicker than the right?
As it has to pump blood around the whole body
What is the function of the aorta?
Takes blood from the heart around the body
What is the structure of arteries?
(function, blood, pressure, lumen, valves, wall structure, muscle)
Transports blood from heart to tissues
mostly oxygenated blood
high pressure
narrow lumen
no valves
thick and elastic walls, more collagen
thick layer of muscles and elastic fibres
What is the structure of veins?
(function, blood, pressure, lumen, valves, wall structure, muscle)
Transports blood from tissues to heart
mostly deoxygenated blood
low pressure
wide lumen
valves (prevents blackflow)
thinner and less elastic walls, less collagen
thin layer of muscles and fewer elastic fibres
What is the structure of capillaries?
(function, blood, pressure, lumen, valves, wall structure, muscle)
Exchange of material between blood and tissues
changes from oxygenated to deoxygenated blood
medium pressure
very narrow lumen
no valves
very thin walls, no collagen
no muscles and fewer elastic fibres
What is elastic recoil of artery?
(stretch)
arteries expand (stretch) when heart contracts and blood pressure rises
What is elastic recoil of artery?
(recoil)
- arteries recoil when
heart relaxes and
blood pressure drops
How are materials exchanged in capillaries?
Diffusion
