Chapter 20 Flashcards
What are the main functions of the blood vessels?
Transport blood, nutrients, and oxygen throughout the body; remove waste products; regulate blood pressure.
What are the three major types of blood vessels?
Arteries, veins, and capillaries.
What is the function of arteries?
Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body.
Arteries - AWAY
What is the function of veins?
Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
What is the function of capillaries?
Exchange oxygen, nutrients, and waste between blood and tissues.
“Cinderella’s Magic Connection!” 👑✨
Think of capillaries as the Fairy Godmother’s magic in Cinderella—delivering what’s needed and taking away what’s not!
• Cinderella’s carriage (Capillaries) delivers → Just like how the carriage brings her to the ball, capillaries deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues. 🏰
• Magic transformation (Exchange) → Just like her rags turn into a gown, capillaries swap oxygen for carbon dioxide and remove waste. ✨
• Return to reality (Blood flow continues) → At midnight, the carriage returns her home, just like capillaries return waste to veins for removal. 🕛
What are the three layers of a blood vessel wall?
Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa
The tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica externa are the three layers of blood vessel walls, each with distinct structures and functions:
- Tunica Intima (Inner Layer)
• Structure:
• Made up of endothelial cells (a smooth, thin layer of cells) lining the inside of the blood vessel.
• Contains a basement membrane and sometimes an internal elastic lamina (in arteries).
• Function:
• Provides a smooth surface to reduce friction and allow blood to flow easily.
• Acts as a selective barrier for nutrients and gases.
• Releases chemicals like nitric oxide, which helps control vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). - Tunica Media (Middle Layer)
• Structure:
• Composed of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers.
• Thicker in arteries than in veins.
• Function:
• Controls vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and vasodilation to regulate blood pressure and flow.
• Elastic arteries (like the aorta) have a lot of elastic fibers to stretch and recoil with each heartbeat. - Tunica Externa (Outer Layer)
• Structure:
• Made up of connective tissue with collagen fibers and elastic fibers.
• Contains tiny blood vessels (vasa vasorum) that supply larger blood vessels.
• Function:
• Protects and supports the blood vessel.
• Helps anchor the vessel to surrounding tissues.
• Provides nutrients to the outer walls of large blood vessels.
Which blood vessels have the thickest walls?
Arteries, due to their thick tunica media layer.
What is the purpose of valves in veins?
Prevent backflow of blood and assist in returning blood to the heart.
What is blood pressure?
The force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels.
Blood Pressure – Simplified
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps it through your body.
Think of it Like a Garden Hose 🚿
• When you turn on a hose, water pushes against the walls of the hose as it flows out.
• If the pressure is too high, the hose might burst (similar to high blood pressure damaging arteries).
• If the pressure is too low, water trickles out weakly (like low blood pressure reducing blood flow to organs).
The Two Blood Pressure Numbers:
1. Systolic Pressure (Top Number) → The pressure when your heart beats and pushes blood out.
• Think: “Squeeze!” (your heart contracts).
2. Diastolic Pressure (Bottom Number) → The pressure when your heart relaxes between beats.
• Think: “Dilate!” (your heart rests and refills).
Normal Blood Pressure Example:
• 120/80 mmHg
• 120 (Systolic - heart contracting)
• 80 (Diastolic - heart relaxing)
Why Blood Pressure Matters
• High blood pressure (hypertension) puts too much strain on arteries and can lead to heart disease or stroke.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting because the brain isn’t getting enough blood.
What is the normal blood pressure range?
Approximately 120/80 mmHg.
What is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?
Systolic pressure is the force during heart contraction; diastolic pressure is the force during heart relaxation.
What is the lymphatic system?
A network of vessels, tissues, and organs that helps remove waste and fight infections.
“Let’s Fight Contaminants!” (LFC)
• L → Lymph Vessels (Transport lymph fluid)
• F → Filters (Lymph Nodes) (Trap bacteria & viruses)
• C → Circulates Immune Cells (T-cells & B-cells attack infections)
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Quick Analogy: The Lymphatic System is Like a Garbage Truck 🚛
• Lymph fluid = Trash collected from tissues
• Lymph nodes = Sorting centers that check for harmful materials
• Lymph vessels = The highways that transport waste and immune cells
• Spleen & Thymus = HQ for immune defense
What are the main functions of the lymphatic system?
F.I.A.
-Fluid balance
-Immune system defense
-Absorption of fats from the digestive system
Think of the lymphatic system like Dory and Marlin’s journey in Finding Nemo—helping balance the ocean, defend against dangers, and absorb important things along the way!
🐠 F → Fluid Balance → Just like the ocean needs balance to keep sea life healthy, the lymphatic system regulates fluid levels to prevent swelling. 🌊
🦈 I → Immune Defense → Just like Marlin & Dory defend themselves from sharks and jellyfish, the lymphatic system fights off infections and harmful invaders! 🦠🛡️
🐢 A → Absorption of Fats → Just like Crush the sea turtle helps guide the little turtles, the lymphatic system absorbs and transports fats from the digestive system to where they’re needed. 🏄♂️🥑
What are the main components of the lymphatic system?
Lymph, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, thymus, spleen, and tonsils.
Mnemonic: “Little Lucy’s Very Tired Super Turtle” 🐢💤
• L → Lymph (The fluid that carries immune cells)
• L → Lymph Nodes (Filter lymph and trap invaders)
• V → Lymphatic Vessels (Transport lymph throughout the body)
• T → Thymus (Trains T-cells for immune defense)
• S → Spleen (Filters blood and stores immune cells)
• T → Tonsils (First line of defense against inhaled/ingested invaders)
What is lymph?
A clear fluid containing white blood cells that helps remove waste and fight infections.
Simple Definition: “Lymph is the Body’s Immune Fluid”
• It’s a clear, watery fluid that moves through the lymphatic system.
• It carries white blood cells to fight infections.
• It removes waste and excess fluid from tissues.
What is the function of lymph nodes?
Filter harmful substances and contain immune cells to fight infections.
Mnemonic: “Lymph Nodes = Little Ninja Defenders” 🥋🛡️
• L → Lymph nodes
• N → Neutralize harmful substances
• D → Defend with immune cells
Quick Analogy: “Security Checkpoints at an Airport” ✈️🛂
• Lymph nodes act like TSA checkpoints at an airport.
• Just like security scans luggage for threats, lymph nodes filter lymph for harmful substances (bacteria, viruses, debris).
• If a threat is found, immune cells (like security officers) attack and remove the invader.
Where is the spleen located, and what is its function?
Located in the upper left abdomen; filters blood, recycles red blood cells, and helps fight infections.
What role does the thymus play in the immune system?
Produces T-cells, which are crucial for adaptive immunity.
“Thymus produces T-cells”
What are the primary types of immune cells in the lymphatic system?
-Lymphocytes (T-cells and B-cells)
-Macrophages
-Dendritic cells
Think of the immune cells in the lymphatic system as the characters in The Lion King who defend the Pride Lands! 🦁🌿
1️⃣ Lymphocytes (T-cells & B-cells) → Simba & Nala 🦁👑
• T-cells (Tough Fighters) = Simba 🦁 → He attacks threats directly, just like T-cells destroy infected or abnormal cells.
• B-cells (Brainy Defenders) = Nala 🦁 → She plans and supports, just like B-cells create antibodies to mark invaders.
2️⃣ Macrophages → Rafiki (The Wise Protector) 🦍🦴
• Macrophages “eat” harmful invaders, just like Rafiki smacks enemies with his staff!
• These cells engulf and digest bacteria and debris, keeping the body safe.
3️⃣ Dendritic Cells → Zazu (The Messenger) 🦜📢
• Dendritic cells “report” threats to the immune system, just like Zazu warns Mufasa about danger.
• They help activate T-cells and B-cells by presenting them with captured invaders.
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Quick Mnemonic: “Simba’s Mighty Defense!”
• S → Simba & Nala = Lymphocytes (T-cells attack, B-cells plan) 🦁👑
• M → Macrophages = Rafiki (Fights by “eating” invaders) 🦍
• D → Dendritic Cells = Zazu (Reports danger to the immune system) 🦜
What is the function of B-cells?
Produce antibodies to help fight infections.
Think of B-cells like Belle from Beauty and the Beast—instead of fighting directly, she uses knowledge (antibodies) to outsmart enemies!
What is the function of T-cells?
Destroy infected or abnormal cells and regulate immune responses.
What is edema, and how is it related to the lymphatic system?
Swelling caused by fluid retention, which can result from poor lymphatic drainage.
What are lacteals, and what is their function?
Lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine that absorb dietary fats.
Mnemonic: “Lacteals Love Lipids!” 🥑🥛
• Lacteals are Lymphatic capillaries in the small intestine.
• They Love to absorb Lipids (fats)!
How does the lymphatic system contribute to immune defense?
Lymph nodes trap pathogens, while lymphocytes help eliminate infections.
What is the role of the cardiovascular system in maintaining blood circulation?
It pumps oxygenated blood through arteries and returns deoxygenated blood via veins to maintain tissue function.
What is the role of the respiratory system in blood circulation?
Oxygenates blood in the lungs and removes carbon dioxide.
What is the role of the endocrine system in blood circulation?
Hormones regulate blood pressure, blood volume, and heart rate.
The endocrine system plays a major role in blood circulation by releasing hormones that regulate blood pressure, blood volume, and heart rate. These hormones are released from glands in the endocrine system and travel through the bloodstream to target organs like the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.
Mnemonic: “The 3 B’s – Blood, Balance, and Beating!”
• Blood Pressure → Hormones raise or lower blood pressure (e.g., adrenaline increases it).
• Blood Volume → Hormones control how much fluid stays in the blood (e.g., ADH prevents water loss).
• Beating Heart Rate → Hormones speed up or slow down the heart (e.g., thyroid hormones increase heart rate).
What causes varicose veins?
Weak or damaged vein valves cause blood pooling and vein enlargement.
Mnemonic: “Varicose Veins = Very Weak Valves!”
• V → Vein valves weaken or fail
• V → Vein walls stretch
• V → Venous blood pools → leading to bulging, twisted veins
Quick Analogy: “Leaky Door Flaps” 🚪💦
• Imagine vein valves are like saloon doors that only swing one way (preventing backflow).
• If the doors (valves) become weak or broken, blood leaks backward and pools, just like water leaking through a faulty drain.
• This extra pressure causes veins to stretch and bulge, forming varicose veins.
What is atherosclerosis?
A buildup of plaque in arteries that can restrict blood flow.
Mnemonic: “Atherosclerosis = Artery Traffic Jam!” 🚗🚦
• A → Artery walls thicken
• T → Thick plaque builds up
• H → Highway (blood flow) is blocked
• E → Energy (oxygen) can’t reach organs
Quick Analogy: “Clogged Pipes or Traffic Jams” 🚗🚧
• Imagine your arteries are highways, and blood is like cars moving through them.
• Plaque (fat, cholesterol, and calcium) builds up like a traffic jam, narrowing the road and making it harder for blood (cars) to pass.
• If the jam gets too big, it can completely block the road, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
What is hypertension?
Chronic high blood pressure that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
How does exercise benefit the cardiovascular system?
Improves circulation, strengthens the heart, and helps regulate blood pressure.
What is the correct order of blood flow through the heart and circulatory system?
- Vena Cava → 2. Right Atrium → 3. Pulmonary Artery → 4. Lungs → 5. Left Atrium → 6. Rest of the Body → 7. Pulmonary Veins → 8. Repeat
What mnemonic can help remember blood flow through the heart?
Very Real People Love Living Real Positive Lives: (Veins → Right heart → Pulmonary → Lungs → Left heart → Rest of body → Pulmonary again → Loop repeats)
What are the three major mechanisms for blood pressure regulation?
- Heart Rate (Adjusts speed of heartbeat) →
- Resistance (Vasoconstriction or Vasodilation) →
- Blood Volume (More blood = higher pressure)
Mnemonic: “Racing Cars Beat Traffic” 🚗🏁
• R → Resistance (Vasoconstriction or Vasodilation) 🚧
• C → Cardiac Output (Heart rate and stroke volume) ❤️
• B → Blood Volume (More or less fluid in the blood) 💧
What mnemonic helps remember blood pressure regulation?
“Hurry, Really Quick!” (HRQ) → Heart Rate, Resistance, Blood Volume
What is the correct order of lymphatic flow?
- Lymphatic Capillaries → 2. Lymphatic Vessels → 3. Lymph Nodes → 4. Lymphatic Ducts
Mnemonic: “Cats Visit Nice Dogs” 🐱🚶♂️🏡🐶
• C → Capillaries (Lymph is first collected here)
• V → Vessels (Lymph travels through larger tubes)
• N → Nodes (Filters out harmful substances)
• D → Ducts (Returns cleaned lymph back to the bloodstream)
