CVS S1 - Introduction to CVS + Anatomy of CVS + DR Work Flashcards
Where does exchange of substances between the blood and tissues occur?
Capillaries
What is the major mechanism of substance exchange between the blood and tissues?
Diffusion (98%)
Diffusion is affected by what 3 factors?
Area available for exchange
Diffusion resistance
Concentration gradient
How is area for exchange of substances through capillaries determined?
Determined by ‘Capillary density’ - Capillaries per unit volume
Where is capillary density highest?
Are all capillaries always perfused?
In tissues with the highest metabolic activity
Nope
What is meant by diffusion resistance and how is it determined?
The difficulty of movement through the barrier formed by the capillaries
Determined by:
The nature of the barrier and the nature of the molecules that are diffusing
The distance over which the diffusion occurs
i.e.’Path length’
What effect does concentration gradient between the blood and tissues have on diffusion?
Larger concentration gradient means a greater rate of diffusion, the opposite is also true
How is concentration gradient between blood and tissues determined?
Gradient depends on concentration of substances in blood
Which is in turn affected by the rate of flow, unless blood is supplied at an adequate rate the gradient will dissipate
How much blood must the cardiovascular system supply to the body as a whole?
between 5 and 25L of blood per minute
5L at rest
Up to 25L in strenuous conditions
What is the minimum and maximum rate of blood flow (per minute) to the following organs/systems?
Brain Heart Kidneys Gut Muscle Skin Other
Brain, 0.75L - 0.75L
Heart, 0.3L - 1.2L
Kidneys, 1.2L - 1.2L
Gut, 1.4L - 2.4L
Muscle, 1.0L - 16.0L
Skin, 0.2L - 2.5L
Other, 0.2L - 0.2L
What is meant by ‘Perfusion rate’?
Rate of blood flow
Apart from the brain, where else must the cardiovascular system maintain a contant perfusion of?
Heart Muscle
Kidneys
What are the 4 main functional components of the cardiovascular system?
A Pump (The heart)
Distribution vessels (Arteries)
Flow Control
Capacitance
What is meant by ‘Flow control’ in terms of the cardiovacsular system?
How is this control achieved?
Flow control is the control of cardiac output, so that it might be distributed appropriately
Flow is restricted in parts of the body that are easy to perfuse, driving blood to areas that are not so easy to perfuse
This is achieved with resistance vessels, namely arterioles and pre-capillary sphincters
What is meant by ‘Capacitance’ in terms of the cardiovascular system?
Capacitance is the ability to cope with changes in cardiac output
This is a store of blood that can be called on to cope with temporary imbalance in the amount of blood returning to the heart and the required cardiac output.
This store is the veins
How is the blood distributed between:
Arteries and arterioles
Capillaries
Heart and lungs
Veins
What is the total blood volume?
Arteries and arterioles - 0.55L (11%)
Capillaries - 0.25L (5%)
Heart and lungs - 0.85L (17%)
Veins - 3.35L (67%)
Total volume of ~5L
Where is the heart located in the body?
The middle mediastinum
What is the pericardium?
Describe its location and function
A fibroserous sac surrounding the heart and the roots of the great vessels
It is made up of 2 serious membranes, the visceral (lies against the heart) and the parietal layer
The space between is filled with serous fluid, allowing relatively frictionless motion of the heart
What relationship do the phrenic nerves have with the heart?
Phrenic nerves are responsible for innervation of the pericardium
What is pericarditis?
What is the major problem associated with pericarditis?
Inflammation of the pericardium
Commonly due to infection or post infarct
Accumulation of fluid in the pericardium (pericardial effusion) can lead to cardiac tamponade.
Cardiac tamponade is a condition in which there is so much fluid in the pericardium it restricts inflow of blood into the heart.
This can be rapidly fatal
What are the major vessels entering and leaving the heart?
Entering:
Inferior and superior vena cavae to the right atrium
Pulmonary enter the left atrium
Leaving:
Pulmonary artery from the right ventricle
Aorta from the left ventricle
Where do the coronary arteries originate from?
The right and left aortic sinus found branching from the ascending aorta
Describe briefly the course of the Right coronary artery and list the major branches.
Originates from right aortic sinus
Passes anteriorly between the right auricle and the pulmonary trunk
Passes through the coronary sulcus between the right ventricle and atrium until it reaches the base of the heart
Branches:
Right marginal branch
Posterior interventricular artery
Describe briefly the course of the Left coronary artery and list the major branches
Originates from the left aortic sinus
Passes between the pulmonary trunk and the left auricle before entering the coronary sulcus
While still posterior to the pulmonary trunk, it divides.
Divisions are:
Anterior interventricular branch - Descends towards apex
Circumflex branch - Courses towards the left through the coronary sulcus, gives off the left marginal branch