Blood Flashcards
What is the basic arrangement of blood vessels?
Tunica Intima, Tunica Media and Tunica Adventitia
Describe Tunica Intima?
Single layer of squamous epithelial cells known as the endothelial cells supported by a basal lamina and a small layer of connective tissue
Describe Tunica Media?
Predominately muscle and can have a high amount of elastic tissue
Describe Tunica Adventitia?
Supporting connecting tissue
What are the largest arteries called?
Elastic arteries
What are the elastic fibres required for?
Elastic recoil
Describe the walls of elastic arteries?
Inner half of the wall obtains nutrients from the lumen and the outer half has its own blood supply called the vasa vasorum
What can been found between the tunica media and tunica adventitia?
External elastic membrane
Function of arterioles
Regulating blood flow in tissue
What are capillaries composed of?
Endothelial cells and basal lamina
What are pericytes?
Connective tissue cells that have contractile properties
What are the 3 forms of capillaries?
Continuous Capillaries
Fenestrated Capillaires
Discontinuous Capillaries
What is the function of the postcapillary venule?
Exchange of materials
What are the valves in the veins composed of?
Extensions of the tunica intima
Where are most proteins in the blood produced?
Liver
What is the role of Serum albumin?
Maintaining osmotic pressure
Why are mature red blood cells not true?
No nucleus or organelles
How long do erythrocytes last in circulation?
4 months
How are aged cells removed?
By spleen and liver
What are neutrophils?
Granulocytes and are the most common type of leukocytes
Describe the nucleus of the neutrophil?
Multilobed nucleus
What can neutrophils also be called?
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte
Where are eosinophils released from?
Bone marrow
How long do the eosinophils circulate for before moving into the tissue?
8-12 hours
Are eosinophils larger than neutrophils?
Yes
Describe the nucleus of the eosinophils?
Bilobed
What is the role of eosinophils?
Maintaining and inducing inflammation and fighting parasitic infections