Cardio Histology Flashcards
arteries
-carry blood away from the heart
-thick, multi-layered walls which form the lumen for blood to flow
what are the three main layers of arteries?
- tunica interna (endothelium)
- tunica media
- tunica externa
what is the function of the arteries?
-carries blood away from the heart
-systemic arteries provide blood rich in oxygen to the body’s tissues
-pulmonary arteries carry blood low in oxygen exclusively to the lungs for gas exchange
what is the structure of the arteries?
-arterial walls: thick structures that are generally round in appearance, and experience higher blood pressure than other types of blood vessels
-lumen: inner passage where blood flows and small lumen maintain higher pressure
tunica interna structure
-endothelium usually appears wavy due to the constriction of smooth muscle
-internal elastic membrane present in larger vessels
tunica media structure
-normally the thickest layer in the arteries
-smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers predominate (the proportions of these vary with distance from the heart)
-external elastic membrane present in larger vessels
tunica externa (adventitia) structure
-normally thinner than the tunica media in all but the largest arteries
-collagenous and elastic fibers
-nervi vasorum and vasa vasorum present
tunica interna (media)
-composed of epithelial and connective tissue layers
-simple squamous endothelial lining
-basement membrane: provides strength and flexibility and binds the endothelium to connective tissue
-internal elastic membrane: present in large arteries, thick elastic fibers, and provides structure while allowing the artery to stretch
tunica media
-normally the thickest layer in the arteries
-smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers predominate (the proportions of these vary with distance from the heart)
-external elastic membrane present in larger vessels
-composes the middle layer of the artery wall
-consists of layers of smooth muscle and connective tissues arranged in circular sheets
-contraction and relaxation of these muscles lead to changes in blood flow and pressure
tunica externa
-normally thinner than the tunica media in all but the largest arteries
-sheath of connective tissue, primarily collagenous fibers
-edges are interlaced with surrounding connective tissue, maintaining vessel in the same relative position
elastic arteries
-vessels larger than 10 mm
-closest to the heart with the thickest walls
-contain the largest percentage of elastic fibers —> allows them to expand with the increased pressure as blood is pumped and rushes through them
-without the elastic fibers, these walls would be rigid and the blood pressure would greatly increase to very high levels and the heart would not pump efficiently
-elastic recoil helps maintain the pressure gradient that drives blood flow through the body
what happens to the amount of elastic fibers in the arteries as you move further from the heart?
decreases
tunica media of the elastic arteries
-middle layer composed of alternating layers of circumferentially arranged smooth muscle and sheets of elastic tissue
-thickest of the three layers in elastic arteries
muscular arteries
-distribute blood to various parts of organs and tissues like radial and femoral arteries
-well-defined elastic lamina- layer of undulating elastic fibers separating tunica intima from the tunica media
-tunica intima is thinner compared to elastic arteries
-walls have a greater number of smooth muscles
-has a companion vein, medium vein: thinner tunica media than muscular artery and adventitia is the thickest layer compared to tunica media
veins structure
-same three layers of arteries
-differences: lacks elastic lamina, thinner tunica media, larger lumens, and smooth muscle is more loosely arranged
-contains one-way valves that are outfoldings of the tunica intima
what is the function of veins
-return blood to the heart —> carry oxygen-poor blood from body to heart and carry oxygen-rich blood from lung to the heart
-venous system is low pressure —> one-way valves prevent backflow and muscle contractions in leg aid blood flow from lower extremities
what is the structure of capillaries?
-one layer of endothelial cells
-epithelial cells form a protective layer (basal lamina)
-three types of capillaries: continuous, fenestrated, and discontinuous
what is the function of capillaries?
-exchange materials between blood and tissue —> provides nutrients and oxygen to surrounding tissue and removes CO2 and other waste
-there are multiple mechanisms for exchange: simple diffusion, membrane transport carriers, and transcytosis through large molecules and endocytosis/exocytosis
continuous capillaries
-most common type
-found in brain, muscle, connective tissue
-endothelial cells are joined by a tight junction to form a continuous tube
-basal lamina is continuous
-less permeable —> only allows small molecules to pass through and can have a barrier function
fenestrated capillaries
-found in kidney, choroid plexus, endocrine organs, and gut
-endothelial cells contain pores (fenestrae) that are covered by thin layer of diaphragm
-basal lamina is continuous
-more permeable —> fenestrae allow larger molecules to pass through like proteins and facilitate absorption