CV Vasculature Histology and Anatomy

Question 1

Name the 3 Common Layers of blood vessels and their properties (from interior to exterior).

Answer 1

Tunica intima - composed of stratified squamous epithelium and basement membrane
Tunica media - Smooth muscle and elastic tissue
Tunica adventitia - Connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers; vaso vasorum and Nervi vascularis (small blood vessels and nerves within)

Question 2

Name the 3 Layers of the Heart and notable features of each one.

Answer 2

Endocardium - simple squamous epithelium with subendothelial CT; feature - Conduction system (purkinje fibers)
Myocardium - cardiac muscle cells; atrium (ANP ~ decreases BP) and ventricle (BNP ~ decreases BP)
Epicardium - contains coronary blood vessels and some fat/CT

Question 3

Name the features of the Elastic Artery and describe some qualities.

Answer 3

Large Tunica media with “elastic lamellae” between smooth muscle cells ~ high concentration of Elastin.
*Contains sheets of fenestrated elastic lamina between muscle cell layers.
Mostly Large and medium arteries that convert pressure energy into elastic energy.

Question 4

Name the features of the Muscular Artery and describe its notable qualities.

Answer 4

Contains many circularly placed smooth muscle cells and has a larger tunica adventitia.
Also has a PROMINENT Internal elastic membrane and External elastic membrane along with the VSM to help with vasoconstriction.
*Easier to distinguish between the tunicas.

Question 5

What are the Features of the Arteriole.

Answer 5

Aka “Resistance vessels”

Contains simple squamous epithelium around the lumen and 1-2 layers of smooth muscle cells

Question 6

Features of the Continuous Capillary

Answer 6

Sealed Endothelium with MANY pinocytotic vesicles, pericytes (stem cells) and basal lamina.
Features Tight Junctions and located in muscle, brain, thymus, lung and bone.

Question 7

Features of Fenestrated Capillary.

Answer 7

Contain endothelial cells with Fenestrae (with or w/o diaphragm). Basal lamina is continuous.
Located in tissues with substantial fluid transport; endocrine glands and kidney

Question 8

Features of Discontinuous/ Sinusoidal Capillaries

Answer 8

Incomplete endothelial lining and basal lamina with gaps/holes that are LARGER than fenestrated capillaries. Located in places of parenchyma.
*Found in liver, spleen and adrenal gland.

Question 9

Name some features of a Large Vein.

Answer 9

Bundles of smooth muscle cells arranged longitudinally in the LARGE tunica adventitia. Contains a small tunica media with smooth muscle arranged circularly.
*Has one-way valves that direct the flow of deoxygenated blood back o the heart.

Question 10

What are the qualities of the small and medium veins?

Answer 10

Tunica intima - thin with inconspicuous internal elastic membrane
Tunica media - contains circular smooth muscle that’s thinner than arterial vessel
Tunica adventitia - thicker than the media with occasional muscle

Question 11

Describe the features of the venule.

Answer 11

Tunica media is incomplete or absent, with the presence fo the occasional pericytes and lack of a tunica adventitia.

Question 12

What are some qualities of the Lymphatic Vessel?

Answer 12

Contain no basement membrane and no blood cells in the lumen. Numerous in CT of skin, respiratory tract, GI and urinary tract. Not found in the CNS (replaced with CSF).
*Functions as a conduit for immune cells between lymph and tissues, removes excess fluid in interstitium and transports chylomicrons from lacteals.

Question 13

Left Border is mainly

Answer 13

Left Ventricle

Question 14

The Posterior side of the heart is mainly

Answer 14

Left Atrium

Question 15

Most of the Right border is mainly

Answer 15

Right Atrium

Question 16

The Anterior side of the heart is mainly

Answer 16

Left ventricle

Question 17

Describe the blood supply arising from the Left Coronary Artery (LCA).

Answer 17

LCA collects blood from the left aortic sinus during DIASTOLE and divides into the circumflex, left anterior descending and left marginal arteries.

Question 18

Describe the Circumflex Artery (what side of heart, supply.

Answer 18

Left Circumflex Artery (LCX) - supplies lateral and posterior walls of LV and anterolateral papillary muscle.

Question 19

Describe the Left Anterior Descending Artery (what it supplies, where it branches off).

Answer 19

LAD supplies 2/3 of the interventricular (btw. Left and right ventricles) septum, anterolateral papillary muscle, and anterior (front) surface of the LV.

Question 20

Describe the Right Coronary Artery (origin, supply, branches).

Answer 20

RCA originates from the right aortic sinus at the base of the aorta. It divides into the right posterior descending and right marginal arteries.

Question 21

Describe the supply of the right marginal artery and where it divides from RCA.

Answer 21

Right marginal (acute) artery supplies MOST of the Right Ventricle with blood. It is seen on the anterior portion of RV.

Question 22

Describe the Right Posterior Descending Artery (supply and location).

Answer 22

The Right Posterior Descending (Interventricular) Artery supplies the AV node, 1/3 of the posterior interventricular septum, 2/3 of the posterior walls of the ventricles and posteromedial papillary muscle.