Endothelium Flashcards
Where are Endothelilal cells found?
They make up the single cell layer lining the inner surface of blood vessels. Found in lymph vessels too
Processes controlled by endothelial cells
Vaso reactivity (tissue perfusion), initiating, stopping and reversing clotting, directing immune cells, gas, waste & nutrient exchange, tissue repair & angiogenesis
4 layers of arteries
Adventitia, elastic lamina, media, intima (endothelial cells)
What happens to the volume and pressure in capillaries compared to arteries?
Volume increases, pressure drops
Embryological origin of endothelium
Mesoderm - primitive vasculoblast forms arteries and veins
Direction of endothelial cells in relation to smooth muscle cells
Perpendicular to increase contact
Function of pericytes
Support and maintain structure of endothelium - can become muscle or endothelium
Function of tight junctions
Stops anything passing between cells and maintains polarity of cell by keep transporters and receptors in the right place
Function of gap junctions
Allow communication between endothelium cells - rapid
Function of adherens junctions
Hold cells together for structure in endothelium and epithelium - connected to actin so involved in movement of the cell and important in angiogenesis
Transport across endothelium - filtration
Moves down a pressure gradient (hydrostatic and oncotic)
Where is active transport found in the endothelium?
The brain
Locations of continuous capillary endothelium
Skin, muscle, lung and cns-allows smooth passage of blood
Locations of fenestrated endothelium
Exocrine glands, renal glomeruli, intestinal mucosa - leaky so parts of blood pass out
Locations of discontinuous endothelium
Liver, spleen, bone marrow -whole cells can pass out eg immune cells
Function of blood brain barrier
Protect brain from circulating toxins and infection etc
Structure of BBB
Endothelial cells with extremely tight tight junctions, high density of pericytes on basal lamina, surrounded by astrocytes (structural cells in brain)
What molecules can cross bbb?
Very small ones and lipid soluble ones(esp if small)
Effect on filtration if efferent renal arteriole constricts
Filtration increases as pressure increases