Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What is blood?
- Fluid connective tissue
- Cellular elements: RBCs, WBCs and platelets
- Extracellular matrix = plasma
Describe the anatomy of erythrocytes
Function: transport oxygen from lungs to other tissues, and CO2 from tissues to lungs
Diameter: 7-8 um
No nucleus
Cytoplasm colour: diffusely reddish-pink
Biconcave shape
No mitochondria
Describe neutrophils
Function: Leave the bloodstream and enter loose connective tissue. Become active phagocytes and ingest bacteria
Size: 9-15um
Shape of nucleus: 2-4 lobes connected by fine chromatin
Cytoplasmic granules: fine, evenly distributed, purple granules
Describe lymphocytes
Function: Produce antibodies or directly kill cells
Size: 7-10um
Shape of nucleus: round/oval
Cytoplasm: rim of intensely basophils cytoplasm around nucleus
Describe monocytes
Function: Traverse capillary walls and enter adjacent connective tissue and become phagocytise macrophages
Size: 15-20um
Shape of nucleus: indented/kidney shaped
Cytoplasm colour: translucent grey-blue
Describe platelets
- Membrane-bound fragments of cytoplasm from megakaryocytes (located in bone marrow)
- Function: blood clotting
- Often in small clusters
- Diameter: 1-3um
Where is the heart located?
In the mediastinum of thoracic region
(Median region of thorax between the lungs)
What are the chambers of the heart
Left and right atrium (receives blood) and ventricle (pumps blood)
What is the pericardium?
- double layered membrane that surrounds the heart
- Heart is contained within the pericardial cavity
Pericardial sac: Outer wall of pericardial cavity. Attaches to sternum and central tendon of thoracic diaphragm
What are the great vessels of the heart
- Superior vena cava
- Inferior vena cava
- Pulmonary veins
- Pulmonary trunk
- Aorta
What are the 2 circuits?
Pulmonary circuit: blood goes to lungs to be reoxygenated then flows back to the heart
Systematic circuit: blood flows to tissues of the body and back to the heart.
Describe the superior vena cava
One of the systematic veins
Drains blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs to empty into superior region of RA
No valves
Describe inferior vena cava
One of systematic veins
Drains blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs to empty into the inferior region of RA
Pulmonary veins
- 4
- Carry blood from lungs to drain into LA
- No valves
- Only veins to carry oxygenated blood
Describe pulmonary trunk
- Terminally divides into R and L pulmonary arteries
- Carries deoxygenated blood from RV to lungs
- Only arteries that carry deoxy. Blood
- Has pulmonary semilunar valve
Describe aorta
Carries blood from LV to most parts of the body
Why is left ventricle thicker?
LV wall and interventricular septum have thicker myocardium because more pressure is needed to pump blood around the long systematic circuit, compared to pulmonary circuit
What is the myocardium?
Middle coat of the heart, and the thickest