Chapter 19 Blood vessels Flashcards
what is a lumen?
hollow space at center of blood vessel
what are the three main layers of most blood vessels?
Tunica intima
tunica media
tunica externa
what is the tunica intima made of?
endothelium made of simple squamous cells
and if vessel is larger than 1mm, subendothelial layer made of loose connective tissue
what is the function of tunica intima?
reduce friction with blood flow
what two things are the tunica media made of?
circular smooth muscle and elastic fibers
In which vessel is the tunica media thicker in, arteries or veins?
arteries
which is the tunica media more rigid and which is it more collapsible?
rigid in arteries
collapsible in veins
what is the function of the tunica media?
vasoconstriction and vasodilation in order to regulate blood pressure
what is the tunica externa made of?
connective tissue
what is the function of the tunica externa?
support and protect
what is the tunica externa made of?
mostly stiff collagen fibers
but some elastic fibers found in larger vessels in order to stretch and receive more blood
what is the vasa vasorum?
small blood vessels that feed larger blood vessels
where can vasa vasorum be found?
large blood vessels within the tunica externa
these characteristics belong to which layer of the blood vessel wall?
false; the tunica media is made of smooth muscle cells
tunica intima
what is the appearance difference between arteries and veins?
arteries have a smaller diameter, thicker-walled vessels
while veins have a larger diameter, thinner-walled vessels
which of the three types of arteries have the largest lumen diameter? what is it?
elastic arteries; 1.5 cm
what is the main function of elastic arteries?
great for stretching ; not meant for vasoconstriction
what characteristic makes elastic arteries stretchy?
they are filled with elastic fibers in all tunicas
where can elastic arteries commonly be found? why?
usually near heart; in order to receive blood and conduct it to major body regions
what is the diameter size of muscular arteries?
6 mm
why is the diameter size of muscular arteries so small?
they have the thickest tunica media
what is the function of muscular arteries?
deliver blood to specific body organs
perform most vasoconstriction/dilation