Introduction and control of cardiac output Flashcards
Why do we need a cardiovascular system?
All living organisms are metabolically active and we have too large a SA:Volume ratio for diffusion to be efficient
What type of epithelium make up capillaries?
Simple squamous endothelial cells (and basement membrane/basal lamina)
What 3 things does rate of diffusion depend on?
Area available for exchange,
Diffusion resistance,
Concentration gradient
How is the capillary density effected by highly metabolic tissues?
The capillary density is increased
When might the blood in capillaries have a lower concentrations of a substance than the arterial blood?
If that substance is used by the tissues
If you have a slow blood flow how would this effect the capillary concentration of a given substance?
It would lower the capillary concentration (because the substance is removed from the blood more)
Why is the maintenance of blood flow so important in capillary beds?
It creates a constant concentration gradient which drives the diffusion of substances (eg Oxygen)
What is the perfusion rate?
The rate of blood flow
How are increases in metabolism met by the cardiovascular system?
By increased blood flow
Name the organ that requires a constant flow of blood
The brain/ kidneys
What is the blood flow in l/min at rest? (On average)
5 litres/min
During exercise what is the max flow of blood in l/min? (On average)
25 litres/mins
What is the heart surrounded by?
The pericardial sac
How many layers is the pericardial sac?
3
Fibrous layer
Parietal serosa
Visceral serosa
What is the fat that surrounds the heart called?
Epicardial fat
What is the visceral layer of the heart attached to?
The myocardium
How and why can a rapid increase in fluid within the pericardial cavity be damaging?
It compresses the heart due to the inextensible fibrous pericardial layer
The fibrous layer does not ‘give way’ when fluid builds up
What can compression of the heart lead to?
Cardiac tamponade
How might fluid be removed from the pericardial cavity to relieve compression?
Perform a Pericardiocentesis
What is the transverse pericardial sinus?
The space (approx. 1 finger width) that is behind the superior vena cava, ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk.
What is the space that is behind the superior vena cava, ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk called?
Transverse pericardial sinus
What is the pericardium attached to? (3)
Sternum and the mediastinal portions of the right and left pleurae
What is the apex of the heart?
The tip of the left ventricle, which points inferiority, anteriorly and to the left
Where is the base of the heart?
Formed by the atria (mainly the left), essentially the top of the heart
Lies between the lung hila