LEV Flashcards
What are veins?
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart
They hold most of the blood in the body; 75% of the body’s blood is in the veins.
What type of blood do veins carry?
Oxygen-poor blood, except pulmonary veins which carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart.
What are venules?
Very small vessels that connect capillaries with your veins
They are wider than capillaries but narrower than veins, and 16 times smaller than veins.
What do veins do?
Collect oxygen-poor blood and return it to the heart, and carry oxygen-rich blood from lungs to heart.
What is the venous system?
A network of veins and the ways your veins connect to other vessels and organs throughout the body.
What are the two main circuits of the venous system?
- Systemic
- Pulmonary
What happens during the systemic circuit?
Fresh oxygenated blood leaves the heart, enters arteries, branches into arterioles and capillaries, feeds tissues with oxygen, picks up waste, then returns through venules and veins.
How does blood refuel in the pulmonary circuit?
Blood moves into the lungs, refuels with oxygen, and returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
What color are veins and why?
Veins appear blue under the skin due to the way light is absorbed, but the blood is dark red due to lack of oxygen.
What are the three layers of veins?
- Tunica Adventitia (outer layer)
- Tunica Media (middle layer)
- Tunica Intima (inner layer)
What is the function of valves in veins?
To keep blood flowing in one direction.
What are deep veins?
Veins found in muscles and along bones that contain one-way valves and help move blood back to the heart.
What are superficial veins?
Smaller veins not surrounded by muscle, located under the skin, that carry blood from outer tissues to near the skin surface.
What are perforating veins?
Short veins that carry blood from superficial veins to deep veins and contain valves.
What is the ‘second heart’ in the context of veins?
The mechanism that helps blood flow in veins, particularly through muscle contractions.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Blood clots that form in the deep veins, usually in the legs or pelvis.
What are varicose veins?
Swollen, bulging veins that can be harmless but may lead to blood clots.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
A condition where one-way valves are damaged and can’t pump blood effectively.
What is the common treatment for DVT?
Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent embolism.
What diagnostic test is commonly used for venous issues?
Ultrasound.
Fill in the blank: The tunica media contains _______.
smooth muscle cells.
True or False: Superficial veins carry blood more quickly than deep veins.
False.
What is the pressure in veins compared to arteries?
Much lower pressure than the arteries
What are the three layers of veins?
- Tunica Intima
- Tunica Media
- Tunica Externa
What is the composition of the Tunica Intima?
A single layer of squamous epithelium called endothelium
What is the composition of the Tunica Media?
Smooth muscle and elastin, thinner and less smooth than arteries
What is the composition of the Tunica Externa?
Connective tissue
What type of blood do veins carry?
Oxygen-poor or deoxygenated blood towards the heart
What are the largest veins in the body?
- Superior Vena Cava (SVC)
- Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)
What does the SVC do?
Collects blood from veins above the heart
What does the IVC do?
Collects blood from veins below the heart
What does phasicity refer to in the venous system?
The movement and flow that occur in normal veins in response to respiration
How does respiration affect venous flow?
Veins are collapsible, and the movement/flow differs according to body position
What happens to the subclavian vein during inspiration?
It is physically compressed, reducing venous blood flow from the chest into the arms
What is the role of venous valves?
Direct flow & keep blood from moving back toward the heart
What do venous valves prevent?
Reflux or backflow by trapping blood in their cusps or leaflets
What is a thrombus?
A blood clot that forms in a blood vessel
What are risk factors for venous thrombosis?
Factors that increase the likelihood of blood clot formation in veins
What are varicose veins?
Enlarged twisted veins, most common in legs
What are spider veins?
Milder type of varicose vein with a sunburst or ‘spider web’ appearance
Where are spider veins commonly found?
On the face and leg, just under the skin
What is a common diagnostic tool for venous conditions?
Duplex ultrasound
How is the treatment for varicose veins determined?
Based on the specific condition and its symptoms
What are some complications of thrombosis?
Serious health issues resulting from untreated blood clots
How can thrombosis be prevented?
Through lifestyle changes, medications, and monitoring risk factors
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
A condition that causes a blood clot to form and block one or more veins, often in the legs
Symptoms include warmth, tenderness, pain, redness, swelling, and a red, hard cord under the skin.
List the symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis.
- Warmth
- Tenderness
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Red, hard cord just under the surface of your skin that’s tender to the touch
These symptoms often indicate inflammation in the vein.
What causes thrombophlebitis?
A blood clot that can form due to:
* An injury to a vein
* An inherited blood-clotting disorder
* Being immobile for long periods
Immobility can occur during an injury or a hospital stay.
What does DVT stand for?
Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT is when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in the body, usually in the legs.
List the symptoms of DVT.
________
Symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the affected leg.
What are varicose veins?
Swollen blood vessels that appear just under your skin’s surface in your lower body
They often cause discomfort and may lead to other complications.
List common symptoms of varicose veins.
- Bulging veins
- Heavy legs
- Itching
- Pain
- Swelling
- Skin discolorations
- Ulcers
These symptoms can vary in severity.
What are two treatment options for varicose veins?
- Compression stockings
- Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution that causes vein walls to stick together.
What is endovenous thermal ablation?
A treatment that uses laser to remove damaged veins
It is a minimally invasive procedure.
What surgical method is used for treating varicose veins?
Litigation/Stripping
This method involves tying off the damaged vein and removing it.
Fill in the blank: A common cause of superficial thrombophlebitis is ________ to a vein.
[an injury]
Injuries can lead to local inflammation and clot formation.
What are veins?
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart
They hold most of the blood in the body; 75% of the body’s blood is in the veins.
What type of blood do veins carry?
Oxygen-poor blood, except pulmonary veins which carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart.
What are venules?
Very small vessels that connect capillaries with your veins
They are wider than capillaries but narrower than veins, and 16 times smaller than veins.
What do veins do?
Collect oxygen-poor blood and return it to the heart, and carry oxygen-rich blood from lungs to heart.
What is the venous system?
A network of veins and the ways your veins connect to other vessels and organs throughout the body.
What are the two main circuits of the venous system?
- Systemic
- Pulmonary
What happens during the systemic circuit?
Fresh oxygenated blood leaves the heart, enters arteries, branches into arterioles and capillaries, feeds tissues with oxygen, picks up waste, then returns through venules and veins.
How does blood refuel in the pulmonary circuit?
Blood moves into the lungs, refuels with oxygen, and returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
What color are veins and why?
Veins appear blue under the skin due to the way light is absorbed, but the blood is dark red due to lack of oxygen.
What are the three layers of veins?
- Tunica Adventitia (outer layer)
- Tunica Media (middle layer)
- Tunica Intima (inner layer)
What is the function of valves in veins?
To keep blood flowing in one direction.
What are deep veins?
Veins found in muscles and along bones that contain one-way valves and help move blood back to the heart.
What are superficial veins?
Smaller veins not surrounded by muscle, located under the skin, that carry blood from outer tissues to near the skin surface.
What are perforating veins?
Short veins that carry blood from superficial veins to deep veins and contain valves.
What is the ‘second heart’ in the context of veins?
The mechanism that helps blood flow in veins, particularly through muscle contractions.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Blood clots that form in the deep veins, usually in the legs or pelvis.
What are varicose veins?
Swollen, bulging veins that can be harmless but may lead to blood clots.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
A condition where one-way valves are damaged and can’t pump blood effectively.
What is the common treatment for DVT?
Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent embolism.
What diagnostic test is commonly used for venous issues?
Ultrasound.
Fill in the blank: The tunica media contains _______.
smooth muscle cells.
True or False: Superficial veins carry blood more quickly than deep veins.
False.
