25/26. Blood Vessels Flashcards
Characteristics of arteries
Carry blood away from heart
Depicted in red
Basics of veins
Carry blood towards the heart
Often depicted in blue
Generally multiple veins paired with single artery
3 layers common to arteries and veins and space within
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa (adventitia)
Space within called lumen
Tunica intima
Deepest, simple squamous epithelium (endothelium)
Tunica media
Contains smooth muscle to control blood flow
Thicker in arteries than veins
Tunica externa
Outer layer
Connective tissue anchors vessels to other structures
Vasoconstriction
Contraction of smooth muscle in tunica media
Decreases blood flow through lumen
Vasodilation
Relax smooth muscle in tunica media
Increases blood flow through lumen
Types of arteries
Elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles
Characteristics of elastic arteries
Largest, closest to heart
Elastic fibers allow expansion when blood is pumped
E.g., aorta, pulmonary, brachiocephalic, common carotid, subclaviam, and common iliac arteries
Branch into musclar arteries
Characteristics of muscular arteries
Medium-sized arteries distribute blood to organs & tissues
Less elastic tissue and relatively thicker tunica media
Control flow of blood with smooth muscle
Branch into arterioles
Characteristics of arterioles
Smallest arteries
Smallest arterioles only have endothelium and single layer of smooth muscle
Branch into capillaries
Characteristics of Capillaries
Smallest blood vessels
Only one RBC can pass through a capillary at a time
Form a “bed” or branching of vessels for exchange of gases & nutrients
Composed of tunica intima (endothelium & basement membrane)
Types of veins
Venules and veins
Characteristics of venules
Smallest of veins
Run with arterioles
Have thin layer of smooth muscle, little ability to vasoconstrict
Merge to form larger venules, then veins
Characteristics of veins
Small & medium veins run with muscular arteries
Large veins run with elastic arteries
Low pressure in veins, need valves for one-way flow
Skeletal muscle pump
Skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation help move venous blood
Muscles squeeze veins, push blood towards heart
Inactivity results in greater risk of clot formation
Respiratory pump
IVC ascends in abdomen and thorax
Does not have skeletal muscle pump, assist from diaphragm
Inhalation - diaphragm flattens and increases abdominal pressure, lowers thoracic pressure, and blood in IVC is pushed towards heart