Cardiovascular System - Vascular Function and Hemodynamics Flashcards
two closed systems of conduits
- pulmonary vessels
2. systemic vessels
main classes of blood vessels (3)
- arteries
- capillaries
- veins
where do arteries carry blood?
away from heart
what do capillaries do?
connect arteries with veins
where do veins carry blood?
to the heart
classification of arteries
- aorta
- arteries
- arterioles
aorta
largest artery of systemic circulation
arteries
medium and small arteries branching off aorta
arterioles
smallest branches of arteries
structure of systemic arteries (3 main layers)
- tunica intima
- tunica media
- tunica externa
tunica intima
epithelium, basement membrane, and elastic fibers
tunica media
smooth muscle
tunica externa
connective, elastic, and collagenous fibers
function of aorta and its branches
- elastic vessels
- receive blood directly from heart (oxygenated)
- blood volume is under high pressure (stressed volume)
function of arterioles
- resistance vessels (extensive development of smooth muscle)
- site of highest resistance to blood flow
- regulate blood flow and pressure
- innervated by sympathetic adrenergic nerve fibers
structure of capillaries
- smallest and most numerous blood vessels
- thin-walled structures lined with a single layer of endothelial cells surrounded by a basal lamina
function of capillaries/ perfusion
- nutrients, gases, water, and solute are exchanged
- not all capillaries are perfused with blood at all times
- selective perfusion of capillary beds depending on the metabolic needs of the tissues
internal respiration (capillary bed)
- gas exchange between blood and tissues
exchange vessels in capillary bed (3)
terminal arterioles, capillaries, and venules