control of blood pressure L10 Flashcards
why does blood pressure need to be maintained
ensure a constant supply of blood to heart and brain
why does blood pressure need to be maintained
ensure a constant supply of blood to heart and brain
what are the two systems that control MABP
- short term (fast response involving baroreceptors)
- long term (slow response involving the kidneys and regulation of blood volume)
describe cortico- hypothalamic influences
higher brain centres
describe the role of baroreceptors and the pathway that follows
they detect stretching in the artery
1. send info via afferent pathways to medulla (control centre) via action potentials
2. the medulla sends signals via autonomic efferent pathways via action potentials to heart and blood vessels
- Baroreceptors, CV control centre & ANS form a simple ‘reflex’ arc that respond to changes in MABP
where are baroreceptors located
aortic arch & carotid sinuses
Nerve endings are found in adventitia layer of arteries
what are the afferent nerves attached to the baroreceptors at the aortic arch and carotid sinuses
- what do they do
AA: Carotid depressor
CS: Hering’s and IX glossopharyngeal
- send information via action potentials about MABP to the cardiovascular control centre in brainstem (medulla)
describe what happens when MABP increases
causes arteries to stretch which excites the nerve
causes receptors to fire more action potentials
how is baroreceptor action potential frequency related to MABP
if blood pressure is lower than 40mm/Hg, very few action potentials
if blood pressure is higher than 60mm/Hg, max frequency of action potential is met
- normal frequency is about half way between the two (the steep part of curve) allowing the action potentials to increase or decrease depending on whether you want to increase or decrease blood pressure
how is baroreceptor action potential frequency related to MABP
if blood pressure is lower than 40mm/Hg, very few action potentials
if blood pressure is higher than 60mm/Hg, max frequency of action potential is met
- normal frequency is about half way between the two (the steep part of curve) allowing the action potentials to increase or decrease depending on whether you want to increase or decrease blood pressure
what kind of pressure changes do baroreceptors respond better to
pulsatile pressure changes
what is action potential frequency like at low and high blood pressure
LOW: less frequent
HIGH: frequent
describe the pathway followed when MABP decreases
- less stretch of arteries detected by baroreceptors
- baroreceptors send less frequent action potentials
- the medulla decreases vagal tone to the heart (parasympathetic)
- medulla increases sympathetic supply to heart and blood vessels
- increases rate and contractilility of the heart - arterioles constrict increasing total peripheral resistance
- veins constrict increasing CVP
- adrenal medulla releases adrenaline
describe the pathway followed when MABP decreases
- less stretch of arteries detected by baroreceptors
- baroreceptors send less frequent action potentials
- the medulla decreases vagal tone to the heart (parasympathetic)
- medulla increases sympathetic supply to heart and blood vessels
- increases rate and contractilility of the heart - arterioles constrict increasing total peripheral resistance
- veins constrict increasing CVP
- adrenal medulla releases adrenaline
describe Postural Hypotension
- when you get up from lying down, blood is redistributed resulting in venous pooling
- ~ 500 ml of blood from the intrathoracic vessels into the veins of the lower limbs due to effect of gravity - results in
- venous return decreasing
- stroke volume decreases
- cardiac output falls
- Arterial blood pressure falls, and this may cause dizziness if MABP falls >20 mmHg
