Chapter 21: Blood vessels Flashcards
How many layers to blood vessels have with the exception of capillaries
3 layers:
1. tunica interna (innermost)
2. Tunica media ((middle)
3. tunica externa
What layer of blood vessels helps to constrict them
Tunica media: the smooth muscle
Endothelium for blood vessels is
one layer; gas exchange is easier
are arteries or veins thicker
arteries are thicker because they have more smooth muscle
The walls of arteries are elastic which allow…
them to absorb pressure created by the ventricles of the heart as they pump blood into the arteries eg. aorta
What are the different types of arteries
- elastic arteries
- muscular arteries
Elastic arteries (conducting arteries)
- large diameter
- more elastic fibers, less smooth muscle
- function as pressure reservoirs
Example of elastic artery
aorta: a lot more elastic fibers and less smooth muscle
Muscular arteries ( distributing arteries)
- medium diameter
- more smooth muscle, fewer elastic fibers
- distribute to various parts of the body
As arteries branch they become …
muscular arteries
Anastomoses
the union of the branches of two or more arteries supplying the same region of the body
Anastomosis results in
collateral circulation
- provides an alternate route for blood flow
- example: circle of willis
Arteries that do not form anastomosis is called
end arteries
- if an end artery is blocked, blood cannot get to that particular region of the body and necrosis occurs
Capillaries
- are microscopic vessels that usually connect arterioles and venules
- composed of a single layer of cells and basement membrane
- because their walls are so thin, they allow gas exchange
capillary networks are found near
almost every cell in the body
Continuous capillaries
individual cells join to one another
- not much space between cells
What is the intercellular cleft
space which allows wbcs to squeeze through to emigrate
Fenestrated capillaries
- they have pores
- allow arteries to exchange substances
- present in the kidneys
Sinusoid capillaries
- has incomplete basement membrane
- allows for greater exchange
- has bigger holes than fenestrated capillaries and allows red blood cells to squeeze through
- wbcs can freely enter
- present in the liver
Venules
are small vessels that are formed by the union of several capillaries
- drain blood from capillaries into veins
Veins
- formed by the union of several venules
- less elastic tissue and smooth muscle than arteries
- have thicker tunica externa and thinner tunica interna and media
Varicose veins
are formed when venous valves become weak of damaged
- cannot prevent backwards flow and veins will buldge
- dilated and twisted in appearance