3. Hemodynamics

Question 1

What is hemodynamics?

Answer 1

the study of blood flow

Question 2

What is the driving force for blood flow?

Answer 2

difference in pressure from arteries to veins

Question 3

What is the important equation for resistance of blood flow?

Answer 3

Ohms Law

Question 4

How can blood pressure be varied?

Answer 4

1. increase in force (stroke volume)
2. increase in rate (beats per minute)

Question 5

What is the principal determinent of resistance?

Answer 5

degree of constriction of arteriolar smooth muscle; precapillary sphincters

Question 6

What portion of the nervous system controls peripheral resistance?

Answer 6

sympathetic

Question 7

How does the sympathetic nervous system control peripheral resistance?

Answer 7

basal level of pressure is provided by a constant level of norepinephrine released by sympathetic postganglionic neurons innervating precapillary sphincters

Question 8

What is adrenergic tone?

Answer 8

constant sympathetic nervous system output on precapillary sphincters

Question 9

What is systemic arterial pressure?

Answer 9

force per unit area exerted by blood on the walls of arteries

Question 10

What do the numbers of a blood pressure reading mean?

Answer 10

top number = systolic pressure
bottom number = diastolic pressure