Blood vessels

Question 1

Define Pulmonary circulation

Answer 1

• deoxygenated blood is carried away from the heart by the pulmonary artery
• oxygenated blood is carried to the heart by pulmonary veins

Question 2

Define systemic Circulation

Answer 2

• oxygenated blood is carried away from the heart by the arteries
• deoxygenated blood is carried to the heart by the veins

Question 3

What is the organisation of the vascular system ?

Answer 3

arteries, veins, arterioles, venues, capillaries

Question 4

Describe Arteries

Answer 4

• always carry blood away from the heart
• thick, muscular walls
• except pulmonary arteries all carry oxygenated blood

Question 5

What is the largest artery ?

Answer 5

• the aorta

Question 6

Describe the aorta

Answer 6

• its the first artery through which blood in the systemic flows through on leaving the heart
• all other arteries branch directly or indirectly off the aorta

Question 7

Define the function of the carotid artery

Answer 7

carries blood to the head

Question 8

What’s the function of the subclavian artery ?

Answer 8

carries blood to the arm

Question 9

Describe the abdominal aorta

Answer 9

• located on the left side of the body
• key artery coming off it = ciliac artery
• the ciliac artery branches into the hepatic, gastric and splenic arteries which carry blood to the liver, stomach and spleen

Question 10

Describe veins

Answer 10

• thinner walls than arteries
• always carry blood bacteria to the heat - except for the pulmonary vein which carries deoxygenated blood
• Venae cave = largest veins in the body

Question 11

Describe the Venae Cava

Answer 11

• Venae Cava = Plural
• Superior Vena Cava - collects blood from upper body & head - short vein
• Inferior Vena Cava - collects blood from the lower body - lower vein located in the right side of the body

Question 12

Describe the distribution of blood in the body

Answer 12

systemic venous system = 64%
pulmonary circuit = 9%
heart = 7%
systemic arterial systems = 13%
systemic capillaries = 7%

Question 13

What makes up the microvasculature of the circulatory system ?

Answer 13

capillaries, arterioles, venules

Question 14

Describe capillaries

Answer 14

exchange of gases (oxygen & carbon dioxide) and chemical takes place between the blood and interstitial tissue

Question 15

Describe arterioles

Answer 15

the narrowest type of artery and deliver oxygenated blood to the capillary bed

Question 16

Describe Venules

Answer 16

narrowest type of vein and receive deoxygenated blood from the capillary bed

Question 17

What is the role of Precapillary Sphincters ?

Answer 17

they control the flow of blood from the arteriole into each capillary
- when 1 pre capillary sphincter constricts blood is diverted into other branches

Question 18

What are the 3 layers that make up all vessels ?

Answer 18

• Tunica intima
• Tunica media
• Tuncia adventitia

Question 19

Describe Tunica intima

Answer 19

• inner layer
• endothelia line the blood vessel

Question 20

Describe Tunica media

Answer 20

• middle layer
• vascular smooth muscle cells, collagen & elastin fibres
• often thickest layer

Question 21

Describe Tunica adventitia

Answer 21

-outer layer
- outer protective layer
- contains fibroblasts

Question 22

What are Elastic Arteries ?

Answer 22

• arteries close to the heart must be able expand & recoil to maintain constant BP

Question 23

What are some examples of elastic arteries ?

Answer 23

• aorta
• carotid artery
• pulmonary artery

Question 24

Describe Muscular arteries

Answer 24

• smaller branches off elastic arteries
• more smooth muscle & fewer elastic fibres
• coronary & femoral arteries = examples

Question 25

What are the 3 types of capillaries ?

Answer 25

• continuous
• fenestrated
• sinusoid

Question 26

Describe Continuous Capillaries

Answer 26

• majority of body’s capillaries
• restricted permeability
• permits exchange of water, small solutes & lipid-soluble between blood & interstitial fluid

Question 27

Describe Fenestrated Capillaries

Answer 27

• example = kidney/intestine
• facilitate rapid exchange of water & solutes between blood and interstitial fluid

Question 28

Describe Sinusoid Capillaries

Answer 28

• example = liver, bone marrow
• free exchange of water, solutes & large plasma proteins

Question 29

Define Vasculogenesis

Answer 29

• refers to formation of entirely new blood vessels
• only occurs in embryonic development

Question 30

Define Angiogenesis

Answer 30

• sprouting of new branches from pre-existing blood vessels
• occurs throughout life

Question 31

What is Atherosclerosis ?

Answer 31

build up of fatty deposits within the walls of arteries which can trigger clot formation & become dislodges - blocking arteries

Question 32

What can atherosclerosis cause ?

Answer 32

heart attack, stroke or kidney disease