Blood Vessel structure and hypertension Flashcards
What are the 3 layers of blood vessels
-tunica intima
-tunica media
-tunica adventitia
What is the structure of the tunica intima
-endothelium
-internal elastic lamina (subendothelial layer) which have proteoglycans and collagen
-squamous epithelium
What is the tunica media
-external elastic lamina (elastic fibers) which stretch and recoil during systole and diastole
-many smooth muscle cells
What does the tunica adventitia contain
-collagen and elastic fibers which anchor vessels to surrounding tissue
-vasa vasorum (oxygen and nutrients to outer layer of the vessel)
3 main types of arteries
elastic
muscular
arterioles
Elastic arteries
pressure reservoirs
contain many elastic fibers in the tunica media
receive blood directly from the heart
Muscular arteries
distributing arteries
thicker tunica media
more muscle cells
regulated blood flow to organs and tissues
arterioles
fewer muscle cells
highly responsive to changes in BP
regulate blood flow into capillaries
What are veins
drainage channels which carry blood from different parts of the body to the heart
work at lower pressure due to reduced muscle tone in tunica media
what are venules
smallest vessels in venous circulation
What is the venae cavae
venules come together to form larger veins into the greater vein
Tunica intima in arteries vs veins
Arteries - thin layer of endothelial cells/subendothelial layer/internal elastic lamina
veins - endothelial cells/subendothelial layer/lacks internal elastic lamina
tunica media in arteries vs veins
arteries - thicker, more smooth muscle/more elastic fibers/muscular arteries have more smooth muscle
veins - thinner/less elastic tissue
tunica adventitia in arteries vs veins
arteries - thinner tunica adventitia
veins - thicker tunica adventitia to provide greater structural support
What are valves
in veins
folds of tunica intima
prevent backflow of blood
important in lower extremities
What are arterioles
smaller diameter blood vessels with muscular walls
regulate blood flow and pressure
resistance vessels
Roles of the arterioles
vary diameter to prevent damage to tissue
What are capillaries
thin walled vessels which facilitate exchange of nutrients
link arteries and veins
contain endothelial cells (1 cell thick), basement membrane, collagen fibrils
5-8um diameter
why do capillaries have precapillary sphincters
regulate blood flow through contraction and dilation
types of capillaries
continuous
fenestrated
sinusoidal/discontinuous