Cardio - Circulatory System Anatomy Flashcards
What are the major arteries of the body? (from the heart to the foot)
Common iliac
External iliac
Femoral
Popliteal
Posterior tibial
Plantar arch
What are the major veins of the body? (from the heart to the foot)
Common iliac
External iliac
Femoral
Great saphenous vein
Popliteal
Posterior tibial
Plantar venous
What is the largest vein in the body?
Great saphenous vein
What are the 2 deep veins in the body? (from the heart to the foot)
Posterior tibial vein and popliteal vein
What are the 3 walls of blood vessels?
tunica intima, media, and adventitia (externa)
This is a simple squamous epithelium which lines the lumen of all vessels
Endothelium
This is a sparse pad of loose FCT which provides cushioning for the endothelium
Sub-endothelium
This is a condensed sheet of elastic tissue. It is well developed in arteries and less developed in veins.
Internal elastic lamina (IEL)
This is the innermost layer of the blood vessel and faces towards the blood.
Tunica intima
What are the 3 components that make up the tunica intima?
Endothelium, sub-endothelium, IEL internal elastic lamina
What muscle type is tunica media made up of?
Smooth muscle
This is a layer of blood vessel that contains connective tissue fibres, mainly elastin and collagen. The thickness of this layer is directly proportional to vessel diameter and blood pressure.
Tunica media
This is a layer of blood vessel that is made up of loose FCT with a high content of collagen and variable amount of elastin.
Tunica adventitia
Lymphatics and autonomic nerves are found in this blood vessel layer.
Tunica adventitia
In larger vessels, the adventitia may contain these structures which provides an important source of nutrients to arteries and veins.
Vasa vasorum
How is the contractile tone of the adventitia altered and controlled?
Under autonomic tone by autonomic nerves
These are the resistance vessels of the circulation - they determine the blood pressure.
Arteriole
These are low pressure, large volume transport systems with a unidirectional flow. They may also act as capacitance vessels to accomodate extra blood.
Veins
This is the site of exchange between blood and tissues.
Capillaries
These are the smallest veins found in the body. These connect the capillaries with veins.
Venules
These are responsible for connecting the capillaries with the arteries.
Arterioles
Why do veins have twice the cross-sectional area compared to arteries?
Because veins pump blood under low pressure, and so in order to keep the same volume of blood passing through the arteries and veins - the cross sectional area has to be larger.
What is the tunica intima made of?
Elastin
What is the dominant type of structure found in the tunica media?
Smooth muscle
What lines the lumen of all vessels in the cardiovascular system?
Endothelium
What is the thickest layer of a vein?
Tunica adventitia
