Cardiovascular anatomy

Question 1

Components of blood

Answer 1

Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets

Question 2

Erythrocytes (RBC)

Answer 2

Transport O2 and CO2 carried on hemoglobin molecules. Biconcave discs. No nuclei or organelles. Production in bone marrow. Finite lifespan, destroyed in spleen.

Question 3

Leucocytes (WBC)

Answer 3

Nucleated cells. Include lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Differentiated by appearance and function. Produced in bone marrow. Use blood vessels for transport - actions are in tissues. Involved in immune response.

Question 4

How are Leucocytes involved in immune response?

Answer 4

Lymphocytes involved in adaptive immunity (also monocytes/macrophages). Others in innate response to infection, tissue damage, allergies. Increased production and release in response to disease.

Question 5

Lymphocyte

Answer 5

antibodies (B/plasma cells), cell killing (T), regulation (T), some involved in less specific cell killing (NK)

Question 6

Monocyte

Answer 6

become macrophages in tissues - engulf and destroy foreign material, dead cells, abnormal cells, pathogens, regulation of immune response.

Question 7

Neutrophil

Answer 7

fight bacterial infection, tissue damage

Question 8

Eosinophil

Answer 8

migrate to areas of allergic reactions and kill parasites

Question 9

Basophil

Answer 9

allergic response - releasing histamine and other substances

Question 10

Platelets

Answer 10

Fragments of the cytoplasm of large cells (megakaryocytes) located in bone marrow (mammals). Involved in clotting, repair of small areas of damage to blood vessel walls.

Question 11

Heart structure

Answer 11

Large muscular organ in ventral thoracic cavity, between the lungs. Cone shaped.

Question 12

Four main chambers of heart

Answer 12

2 Atria, 2 ventricles, described as left and right

Question 13

Pericardium

Answer 13

Serous membrane sac (2 layers) that stops heart moving excessively and reduces friction. Outer layer with thick fibrous covering = parietal layer. Thin inner layer (attached to heart wall) = visceral layer.

Question 14

Myocardium

Answer 14

heart wall, striated muscle type unique to heart (cardiac muscle), involuntary

Question 15

Endocardium

Answer 15

heart internally covered by thin, smooth layer

Question 16

Heart valves

Answer 16

cusps of atrioventricular valves are anchored to ventricle walls by fine cords (chordae tendineae) and muscular projections (papillary muscles)

Question 17

Pulmonary circulation

Answer 17

supplies and drains blood from lungs and involved in gas exchange. pumped from right side of heart to lungs.

Question 18

systematic circulation

Answer 18

transports blood to and from rest of body. pumped from left side of heart.

Question 19

Arteries

Answer 19

Thick, relatively rigid walls - maintain cross-sectional shape when bisected. Move blood away from heart. Blood under high pressure. In protected locations

Question 20

Veins

Answer 20

thinner walls, collapsed (usually), generally greater diameter than associated arteries. Move blood towards heart. Blood under low pressure. May be located more superficially. Valves in small and medium veins.

Question 21

Blood vessel

Answer 21

lined by endothelium. Wall arranged in concentric layers - Tunica interna, tunica media, tunica externa

Question 22

Tunica interna

Answer 22

lined with endothelium

Question 23

tunica media

Answer 23

circulatory arranged smooth muscles, elastic fibers, variable thickness - poorly developed in veins, more connective tissues

Question 24

Tunica externa

Answer 24

connective tissue surrounding vessel

Question 25

Capillaries

Answer 25

Small vessels with thin walls - single layer endothelial cells. Connect venules and arterioles. Allow movement of substances in and out of tissue. Generally, blood goes from artery -> arteriole -> capillary network -> venule -> vein

Question 26

Lymphatic system

Answer 26

consists of a network of vessels, tissues and organs. Helps maintain fluid balance by collecting excess interstitial fluid and particulate matter from tissues and depositing them in the bloodstream. Circulates lymphocytes. Blind ended capillaries - one way system returning to the great veins, not a circuit. Very low pressure system.