circulatory system Flashcards
what are the three tunics of blood vessels?
- intima
- media
- externa
what is the middle layer of blood vessels?
tunica media
what is the inner layer of blood vessels?
tunica intima
what is the outer layer of blood vessels?
tunica externa
what is the tunica intima composed of?
epithelial cells
what is the tunica media composed of?
smooth muscle cells
what is the tunica externa composed of?
connective tissue
what is the function of the tunica intima?
smooth lining to reduce friction and facilitate blood flow
what is the function of the tunica media?
alter vessel diameter via sympathetic innervation to control blood flow
what is the function of the tunica externa?
vessel protection and anchoring surrounding tissue
what type of vessels are elastic arteries?
conducting vessels- conduct blood away from the heart
what type of vessels are muscular arteries?
distributing vessels- change diameter to control blood flow
where are elastic arteries located?
near heart
what is present in all the tunicas of elastic arteries?
elastin
where are muscular arteries located in relation to elastin arteries?
distally
do muscular arteries have a thick or thin tunica media?
thick
what are the smallest arteries?
arterioles
whats the diameter of elastic arteries?
1-2.5cm
what is the diameter of arterioles?
10um-0.3mm
what tunica predominately makes up arterioles?
tunica media
what type of vessels are arterioles?
resistance vessels- change their diameter to control resistance into capillary beds
what tunica are capillaries made up of?
intima
what type of vessels are capillaries?
exchange vessels- exchange nutrients, wastes, gases and hormones etc. with ISF
what are the three types of capillaries?
- continuous
- fenestrated
- sinusoidal
what do intercellular clefts in continuous capillaries allow?
limited passage of fluids and small solutes
in continuous capillaries what carries fluids and larger solutes across capillary wall?
pinocytotic vesicles
what do endothelial cells do in continuous capillaries?
join tight junctions to form smooth lining
what do endothelial cells in fenestrated capillaries contain?
pores (fenestrations)
what do the pores in fenestrated capillaries increase?
permeability to allow rapid exchange of fluids and small solutes
where are fenestrated capillaries found?
in areas of active filtration (kidneys), absorption (small intestines or in endocrine glands
what is the most leaky type of capillary?
sinusoidal
why are sinusoidal capillaries leaky?
there are large spaces between endothelial cells (sinusoids) and large fenestrations, incomplete basement membrane
where are sinusoidal capillaries found?
- liver
- lymphoid organs
- adrenal medulla