Cardiovascular System Flashcards
1
Q
what is the cardiovascular system responsible for?
A
transportation of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products to and from cells
2
Q
what is the cardiovascular system made up of?
A
- the heart, blood vessels and blood
3
Q
The heart
A
- muscular organ located in chest cavity slightly to the left of midline
- divided into 4 chambers: 2 atria (upper chambers) and 2 ventricles (lower chambers)
- right side receives DEoxygenated blood from body and pumps it to the lungs for oxygenation
left side receives OXYGENATED blood from lungs and pumps it to the rest of the body - encased in a protective sac called pericardium and is supplied with its own blood vessels (coronary arteries)
4
Q
Arteries
A
- blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood AWAY from the heart to various parts of the body, they have thick
- muscular walls to withstand high pressure generated by the heart-pumping action
- aorta (largest artery) branches into smaller arteries then into arterioles
- thick muscular walls of arteries allow them to withstand the high pressure generated by the hearts contractions
- macrocirculation
5
Q
Veins
A
- blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood BACK to the heart from the body’s tissues
- veins have thinner walls and contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
- veins have valves that prevent baackflow of blood (ensuring that it moves in one direction towards the heart)
- largest veins (superior and inferior vena cava) empty directly into hearts right atrium
- macrocirculation
6
Q
capillaries
A
- microscopic blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and body tissues
- mostly part of microcirculation but are bridge between arteries and veins
7
Q
what is the circulatory system responsible for?
A
- transportation of blood, oxygen, nutrients, and waste products to and from cells
8
Q
what are the two major components of the circulatory system?
A
- macrocirculation
- microcirculation
9
Q
Macrocirculation definition
A
- refers to the movement of blood through the larger blood vessels
- names arteries and veins
10
Q
responsibility of macrocirculation
A
- transporting blood over longer distances within the body
- ensures organs and tissues receive an adequate amount of oxygenated blood and that deoxygenated blood is returned to the heart for reoxygenation
11
Q
why is macrocirculation important?
A
- essential for maintaining blood pressure, distributing hormones, and delivering immune cells to different parts of the body
- critical role in thermoregulation, helping the body maintain a stable internal temp by redistributing blood to the skin or deeper tissues as needed
12
Q
Macrocirculation Disease and Disorders
A
- Atherosclerosis: building up of fatty deposits within the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and hardening of the arteries, which can result in heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease
- Hypertension: chronic high blood pressure can damage the arteries, leading to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke
Aneurysms:a weakening of the arterial wall that can lead to bulge or rupture potentially causing life-threatening internal bleeding
13
Q
Microcirculation definition
A
- refers to circulation of blood through smallest blood vessels in body
- capillaries, arterioles and venules
14
Q
importance of microcirculation?
A
- crucial for proper functioning of tissues and organs
- ensures that every cell in the body receives an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients that waste products are efficiently removed
- vital for wound healing, immune response, and overall maintenance of tissue health
15
Q
Regulation of microcirculation
A
- neural regulation: autonomic NS can influence the constriction or dilation of arterioles, thereby controlling blood flow to different tissues
- hormonal regulation: hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline can cause vasoconstriction or vasodilation, affecting blood flow and pressure within the microcirculation
- local regulation: local factors (concentration of oxygen, CO2, and nitric oxide) can directly influence the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the micro constriction, fine-tuned regulation of blood flow based on immediate needs of the tissue