Exam 2 Review-Cardiovascular System/Blood vessels Flashcards
Which type of blood vessels is referred to as resistant vessels and why?
Hint:Adjuster(s)
Arteries- Arterial system diverges as arteries move away from the heart: their number increases as their diameter decreases
Arteries=”adjusters”, control blood pressue by adjusting diameter
Describe a capillary bed.
Hint: Coffee Filter
A network ofcapillarieswhich are microscopic blood vessels that connect the arterioles with the venules
Capillary Bed = “Coffee Filter”
A network of tiny vessels where gas & nutrient exchange happens.
What is edema?
Swelling due to excessive fluid retention in the interstitial fluid
How does hypertension cause edema? How does inflammation cause edema?
Highway Exit Pressure(H.E.P)
I.C.E
Hypertension: Increase in HPc arteriolar end, which increases filtration pressure
Inflammation: increased capillary pressure which causes fluid to leak out of blood vessels into surrounding tissue which leads to swelling
Hypertension: Like a traffic jam on a highway, too much pressure in the blood vessels forces fluid to exit into the tissues, causing swelling
Inflammation: Increased Capillary exchange (I.C.E)
Which type of blood vessels is referred to as capacitance vessels and why?
Hint: Volume
Veins-have large diameter lumens, which offer little resistance to flow. Have valves which prevent back flow of blood
Veins = Volume Vans
Veins are called capacitance vessels because they hold most of the blood volume (about 60%).
What is the function of precapillary sphincters?
Hint: “Gatekeepers”
They enforce capillary exchange that occurs between blood in the capillaries and interstitial fluid
Precapillary Sphincters = “Gatekeepers” control blood flow into the capillary bed.
Name and describe the three types of arteries
Hint: E.M.A
- Elastic- recoil to maintain blood pressure
- Muscular- control blood flow
- Arterioles- important in regulating blood flow into capillaries and controlling blood pressure
Do all arteries carry oxygen-rich blood?
Explain your answer
No, not all arteries carry oxygen-rich blood. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs.
Which of the following will increase blood flow into a tissue:
a. Increased CO2?
b. Increased O2?
c. Decrease in parasympathetic activity?
d. Increase in sympathetic activity?
Increased CO₂ will increase blood flow into a tissue.
Higher CO₂ levels indicate increased metabolic activity, leading to vasodilation to improve oxygen delivery and remove waste.
Discuss four factors that can cause edema based on changes in the Starling forces.
- Low Plasma proteins: decreased opc=decreased reabsorption
- Kidney disease: protein loss
- Liver failure: impaired albumin production
- heart failure: weak heart pumping can cause fluid build up
What is the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and what is the equation for MAP?
MAP is the average rate of blood flow
the equation: systolic pressure + 2 x diastolic pressure divided by 3
Why is MAP not the mathematical mean of the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the diastolic blood pressure (DBP)?
MAP isn’t the simple average of SBP and DBP because the heart spends more time in diastole than systole. Since diastole lasts longer, it has a bigger influence on MAP.
Name and give the location of the baroreceptors.
In the wall of the internal carotid artery
Discuss in detail how the baroreceptors respond to/correct
(a) decreased blood
pressure
(b) increased blood pressure
Hint: Pump it up/Calm down
b. Increased blood pressure increases firing of baroreceptors which decreases sympathetic tone
a. Decreased blood pressure decreases firing of baroreceptors which increases sympathetic tone
Low BP = “Pump It Up” (Sympathetic Boost)
High BP = “Calm Down” (Parasympathetic Drop)
Discuss the hormonal regulation of hypertension.
Hint: R.A.A.S + A
- Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
Renin (from kidneys) triggers the production of angiotensin II, which narrows blood vessels and signals the release of aldosterone.
2. Aldosterone increases salt and water retention, raising blood volume and pressure.
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Released by the brain to help the kidneys retain water, increasing blood volume and pressure.
- Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
Released by the heart when blood pressure is high.
Lowers blood pressure by making the kidneys remove extra salt and water. - Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
Released in stress or low blood pressure.
Increases heart rate and tightens blood vessels, raising blood pressure.
R.A.A.S. + A
Renin
Angiotensin II
Aldosterone
ADH (Antidiuretic hormone)
👀 ACE inhibitors & Angiotensin II blockers lower BP
Discuss in detail the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA) pathway
“Kidneys Call for Backup”
Low BP → Kidneys release Renin
Renin converts Angiotensinogen → Angiotensin I
ACE converts Angiotensin I → Angiotensin II
Angiotensin II raises BP via:
Vasoconstriction (tightens vessels)
Aldosterone release (holds salt & water)
ADH release (more water retention)
🚫 ACE Inhibitors Block Step 3!
End result:
increase blood pressure and blood volume and enhance sodium and water retention to restore
Explain why an ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor antagonist is used in the
management of hypertension.
“B.L.O.C.K.” the Pressure
Blood vessel relaxation
Lowers blood pressure
Output of aldosterone decreases
Constricting effects of angiotensin II are stopped
Kidneys retain less water & sodium
Think of angiotensin II like a bossy manager forcing arteries to tighten and kidneys to hoard water. ACE inhibitors and ARBs fire the manager, letting blood vessels relax and reducing pressure in the system.
Will high levels of ADH cause hypotension or hypertension? Explain your choice.
Excess ADH leads to hypertension by increasing both blood volume and vessel resistance.
Explain how high aldosterone levels cause hypertension.
Hint: Water Hoarder
ADH makes the kidneys retain water, increasing blood volume.
More blood volume leads to higher blood pressure.
ADH also causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), further raising blood pressure.
ADH keeps water in the body → Increases blood volume → Increases BP.
Discuss venous return. Explain how breathing affects the venous return.
Hint: “going home”
Breathing, especially deep inhalations, acts like a pump, helping to push blood back to the heart by creating a pressure gradient in the body. This enhances venous return, ensuring efficient circulation.
💡 Venous Return = Blood’s Journey Home
Affected by skeletal muscle pump (muscle contractions help push blood back).
Explain why individuals with standing jobs (such as hairdressers; barbers) present with edema
Standing for long periods creates pressure on the veins in the lower body, leading to fluid buildup and resulting in edema, especially in individuals who remain static for extended hours without adequate movement.
Gravity keeps blood in the legs → Swelling (edema).
Explain how breathing affects the venous return.
Inhalation = Sucks blood up like a vacuum (negative pressure)
Compare and Contrast an Artery vs. Vein
Hint: A.V.E.N.U.E
A.V.E.N.U.E.
Arteries = Away (carry blood away from the heart)
Veins = Visit (carry blood back to the heart)
Elastic vs. Expandable (Arteries are elastic & muscular; Veins are more expandable and have valves)
Narrow lumen in arteries; Non-pressurized blood in veins
Under high pressure in arteries; Under low pressure in veins
Exception: Pulmonary arteries & veins reverse the oxygenation rule
What is the eqation for Cardiac Output?
CO=Stroke Volume(SV) x Heart Rate(HR)
