CV Anatomy

Question 1

Functions of CV system (4)

Answer 1

• distribute gases/nutrients
• remove metabolic waste
• help maintain homeostasis (control temp, oxygen supply, pH, ionic composition, nutrient supply)
• adapt to changing conditions and metabolic demands

Question 2

Major components of CV system (3)

Answer 2

• heart
• blood
• vasculature

Question 3

Arrangement of circulation via R&L sides of heart (& implications)

Answer 3

• R –> pulmonary circulation
• L –> systemic circulation
• R & L sides of heart are arranged in series, but without any direct connection between them
• output of each side must be closely matched

Question 4

Arrangement of systemic circulation (& implications)

Answer 4

• organ systems are arranged in parallel
• oxygenated blood visits one organ system before returning to heart
• changes in blood flow to one organ doesn’t significantly affect other organs

Question 5

Layers of walls of heart

Answer 5

• epicardium=outer layer, connective tissue and fat
• myocardium=middle layer, muscle tissue
• endocardium=inner layer, endothelial cells

Question 6

Pericardium definition

Answer 6

fluid-filled membranous sac that surrounds the heart

Question 7

Characteristics of ventricles

Answer 7

• main pumping chambers of heart
• thicker walls than atria
• L > R b/c supplies high pressure blood to systemic circulation

Question 8

Characteristics of atria

Answer 8

• “primer” chambers
• supply ventricles w/blood
• thinner walls than ventricles

Question 9

Major vessels entering/leaving heart

Answer 9

• vena cava (into R atrium)
• pulmonary artery (out of R ventricle)
• pulmonary vein (into L atrium)
• aorta (out of L ventricle)

Question 10

Major valves of the heart

Answer 10

• tricuspid (btwn R atrium/R ventricle)
• pulmonary (btwn R ventricle/pulmonary artery)
• mitral (btwn L atrium/L ventricle)
• aortic (btwn L ventricle/aorta)

Question 11

Blood flow through heart

Answer 11

systemic circulation –> vena cava –> R atrium –> tricuspid valve –> R ventricle –> pulmonary valve –> pulmonary artery –> lungs –> pulmonary vein –> L atrium –> mitral valve –> L ventricle –> aortic valve –> aorta –> systemic circulation

Question 12

Major types of blood vessels (7)

Answer 12

• aorta
• arteries
• arterioles
• capillaries
• venules
• veins
• lymphatic

Question 13

Major components of vascular system

Answer 13

• arterial system=distribution
• microcirculation=diffusion and filtration
• venous system=collection

Question 14

Artery characteristics

Answer 14

• thick-walled, resist expansion
• ~3mm
• distribute blood

Question 15

Arteriole characteristics

Answer 15

• relatively thick walls (w/smooth muscle)
• ~35 micom
• innervated by autonomic nerves, circulating hormones, and local metabolites
• primary site of regulation of vascular resistance

Question 16

Capillary characteristics

Answer 16

• single layer of epithelial cells (endothelium) surrounded by basement membrane
• same size as RBCs
• huge total SA
• site of gas/nutrient exchange

Question 17

Venule/Vein characteristics

Answer 17

• thin walls relative to diameter, not much elasticity
• primary capacitance vessels (contain most of blood volume)
• one-way valves ensure flow in correct direction

Question 18

Major layers of blood vessels

Answer 18

• tunica adventitia=outer layer, connective tissue (collagen, elastin)
• tunica media=middle layer, innervated vascular smooth muscle (not present in capillaries)
• tunica intima=inner layer, endothelium

Question 19

Microcirculation definition

Answer 19

vasculature from first-order arterioles –> venules

Question 20

Lymphatic system function

Answer 20

filter/regulate excess interstitial fluid