functional histology of CVS Flashcards
what are the principal function of the cardiovascular system (5)
1.mediates continuous movement of all body fluids
2. transports oxygen and nutrients to tissues
3. transports carbon dioxide and other metabolic water products from tissue
4. involved in temperature regulation
5. distribution of molecules (hormones) and immune cells
what are the the two components of the circulatory system
blood vascular system; lymph vascular system
what are capillaries
a complex network of thin tubules where the interchange between blood and tissues takes place
tunica intima composition
a single layer of extremely flattened epithelial cells (the endothelium); supported by a subendothelial basement membrane (vessels >1mm) and delicate collagenous tissue
tunica media composition and function
smooth muscle and elastic fibres, regulated by the sympathetic nervous system; controls vasoconstriction/dilation
tunica externa composition
collagen fibres that protect and reinforce vessels; vasa vasorum in larger vessels
what is the vasa vasorum ?
a specialized microvasculature that play a major role in normal vessel wall biology and pathology - a vascular network (arterioles, capillaries, venules) that supplies the walls of large blood vessels; provides metabolites to the externa/outer media
functions of the endothelium (3)
- acts as a selective permeable antithrombotic barrier
- determines when/where WBCs leave the circulation for interstitial space of tissue
- secretes paracrine factors for vessel dilation, constriction and growth of adjacent cells
what arteries are large elastic arteries (6)
aorta and its large branches (innominate, subclavian, common carotid, iliac); pulmonary arteries
large elastic arteries (LEA) structure and how it helps function
tunica media elastic fibres allows expansion with systole and recoil during diastole,
thereby propelling blood forward; Alternating perforated layers of elastic laminae; High elastic fibres within artery wall ensures continuous UNIFORM blood flow; During systole blood is pushed through artery as media expands; Elastic recoil of vascular wall propels blood through distal vessels during diastole (maintaining blood flow)
elastic conducting arteries structure and function
large lumen which allows low-resistance conduction of blood and acts as a conduit; contains elastin in all 3 tunics; withstands and smooths out large BP fluctuations; allows continuous flow of blood through body
muscular arteries structure and function
intima consists of an endothelial lining and small amount of connective tissue; well developed internal elastic lamina separates the tunica intima from the media; thicker tunica media (than other similar sized vessels), narrower lumen and thickened elastic laminae; more smooth muscle than LEAs which allows for vasoconstriction/dilation; external lamina lies between the tunica media and externa; tunica externa composed of collagen, elastic fibres and vasa vasorum; diameter changes to regulate flow to organs as needed
examples of muscular arteries
coronary; renal
key structural feature of muscular artery (4)
intima has an internal elastic membrane; thick tunica media in proportion to lumen; elastic fibres generally in intima/externa; external elastic membrane in some t.externa layers
key structural features of elastic arteries
media has alternating layers of smooth muscles and elastic fibres; t.externa has collagen, elastic fibres and fibroblasts
structure of small arteries/arterioles
tunica intima - endothelium + basement membrane; thin subendothelial connective tissue; internal elastic lamina (small arteries only)
tunica media - between 3-8 layers of circularly arranged smooth muscle in small arteries (1/2 in aterioles); some collagen, elastic fibres and ground substance (little in arterioles)
tunica externa - thin layer of connective tissue that blends with the surrounding connective tissue
function of small arteries/arterioles
to regulate blood distribution to tissues/organs; modulation of blood flow and pressure by changing lumen size - pressure and velocity of blood flow are both sharply reduced making the flow steady rather than pulsitile
main role of arterioles
control point for regulation of physiological resistance to blood flow
fluid flow resistance equation and what it indicates
R ∝ 1/(d^4); i.e. small changes in the anteriolar lumen size has profound flow limiting effects
structure and function of capillaries
lumen just big enough for single erythrocytes; composed of a single layer of endothelial cells surrounded by basement membrane; nutrient/waste exchange in tissues - some have more specific functions