Lesson 4: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Lymphatic and Endocrine Systems Flashcards
The cardiovascular, circulatory system is a closed-circuit system composed of?
the heart, blood vessels and blood
Blood continuously travels a circular route, what is this route?
it flows through the heart into the arteries, then to the capillaries into the veins and back round to the heart.
What are arteries?
the blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues of the body.
What are capillaries?
They are very tiny blood vessels that help to connect your arteries and veins in addition to facilitating the exchange of certain elements between your blood and tissues.
They are so small a single red blood cell barely fits through them
What are veins?
blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart.
Veins usually carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, what 2 veins are the exceptions?
Umbilical and pulmonary that carry oxygenated blood
What is the liquid component of blood called and what does is carry?
Plasma carries hormones, plasma proteins, food materials, ions and gases throughout the body.
What are 4 components of blood?
- plasma
- red blood cells
- white blood cells
- platelets
The primary function of blood is __________.
transportation
Which system plays an important role in temp regulation and acid-base balance?
the cardiovascular system
What do each of the following carry/do: arteries/arterioles, veins/venules and capillaries?
- Arteries - carry oxygen rich blood away from the heart
- Veins return oxygen poor blood to the heart
- Capillaries provide sites for gas, nutrient and waste exchange between the blood and tissues
What is arteriosclerosis?
Hardening of the arteries and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque accumulation
What contributes to arterial rigidity and decreases the arteries’ ability to expand (most common in older adults)?
arteriosclerosis
As arteries lead away from the heart, they branch off into smaller, microscopic vessels called?
arterioles
What do arterioles develop into when carrying blood?
beds of much smaller structures called capillaries
Where do capillaries allow the exchange of materials between?
Between the blood and interstitial fluid between cells
Where does blood pass to after capillaries?
To small venous vessels called venules
As venules lead (blood) back to the heart, what do they develop into?
They increase in size and become veins
Are the walls of veins thinner and less elastic than arterial walls?
yes
What is commonly found inside the veins of lower limbs?
Valves that allow blood to flow only toward the heart
What are the 2 major veins in the body?
inferior and superior vena cava
Where does blood leaving the inferior/superior vena cava veins empty directly into?
It directly empties into the heart where it is transported to the lungs to pick up a fresh supply of oxygen.
Where is the heart located and what does it act as?
It is located between the lungs and lies just left of center, behind the sternum. It acts as a pump that pushes blood throughout the body.
The heart is divided into 4 chambers, what are they each responsible for?
the 2 right chambers are responsible for pulmonary circulation whilst the 2 left chambers are responsible for systemic circulation