3 - Properties of the Vasculature Flashcards
What type of system is the cardiovascular system?
One way, closed system
Layers of Vessels:
Intima
Media
Adventitia
Intima - Innermost, single layer of endothelial cells
Media - Smooth muscle cells, in matrix of collagen, elastin, glycoproteins*
Adventitia - Outermost, collagen, fibroblasts, blood vessels, autonomic nerves (sympathetic adrenergic)
*Ratio of smooth muscle/collagen/elastin determines mechanical characteriistics (e.g. Aorta = more elastin, arterioles = smooth muscles, etc)
What is unique about the layers within capillaries?
Only single endothelial layer, Intima
How does the Aorta damped pulsatile pressure?
Acts as temporary storage vessel during each heartbeat to accommodate the ejected blood
What is the primary vascular regulator of blood pressure?
Arterioles provide primary resistance to flow
What vessels have the greatest cross sectional area?
What is unique about these?
Capillaries
Have no smooth muscle
Where is most blood volume within the body at any given time?
Venules and veins
What allows veins the ability to expand and store blood?
Thin walls provide mechanism to stretch and provide capacitance (blood storage)
Where does the largest pressure drop occur within the vascular network?
What causes this drop?
Where does pulsatility disappear?
Through arteriolies
Energy is consumes overcoming resistance
Pulsatility disappears at the level of the capillaries
What is the equation for Cross-Sectional Area and Velocities of Blood Flow?
What is the rough trend for velocity?
v = Q / A
v: Velocity of flow (cm/sec)
Q: Flow (mL/sec)
A: Cross-Sectional area (cm2)
Smaller cross sectional area = faster velocity (flow is unchanged)
What two factors determine the flow of blood through vessels?
Equation?
- Pressure Difference (gradient, perfusion pressure)
- Resistance
F = ΔP / R
F: Flow (or Q)
ΔP: Pressure difference
R: Resistance
*How do you determine Resistance (R) ?
What are general trends regarding this?
R = 8nL / πr4
Longer = Increase resistance (direct)
Smaller radius = Increase resistance (inverse)
Poiseuille’s Equation
General trend to know?
Rate of blood Flow is directly proportional to radius4
What is the major mechanism for changing blood flow in the CV system?
Changing resistance in blood vessels via radius changes
Autonomic Effects:
Sympathetic Stimulation
Stimulation: Constrict vessels, blood flow decrease
Inhibition: Dilates vessels, blood flow increase