Microanatomy of the Vascular System

Question 1

Arteries are denoted to be what colour?

Answer 1

Red

Question 2

Veins are denoted to be what colour?

Answer 2

Blue

Question 3

Pulmonary arteries are denoted to be what colour?

Answer 3

Blue

Question 4

Pulmonary veins are denoted to be what colour?

Answer 4

Red

Question 5

What are the four functions of blood vessels?

Answer 5

Distribution of blood
Gas exchange
Solute transfer
Haemostasis / inflammation

Question 6

All vessels of the cardiovascular system can be described in terms of three layers. What are they?

Answer 6

Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa (adventitia)

Question 7

What does “vaso vasorum” mean?

Answer 7

Vessels of the vessel

Question 8

Describe the components of the Tunica Intima (4)

Answer 8

Endothelium
Basa lamina of endothelium
Loose connective tissue
Internal elastic lamina

Question 9

Describe the components of the Tunica Media (3)

Answer 9

Smooth muscle
Connective tissue
External elastic lamina

Question 10

Describe the components of the Tunica Externa (adventitia) (3)

Answer 10

Irregular connective tissue
Vaso vasorum
Lymphatics / nerves

Question 11

What is the histology of endothelium?

Answer 11

Simple squamous epithelium

Question 12

What does NO do in blood vessels?

Answer 12

Vasodilation

Question 13

Blood pressure depends on two things - what are they?

Answer 13

Cardiac Output

Peripheral Resistance

Question 14

What does Resistance depend on? Two things

Answer 14

Blood Viscosity

Dimensions of vessel

Question 15

Which blood vessel has the highest blood pressure?

Answer 15

The Aorta (biggest artery)

Question 16

Which set of blood vessels has the lowest blood pressure?

Answer 16

Veins

Question 17

In which set of blood vessels is there the biggest change in blood pressure?

Answer 17

Arterioles

Question 18

Which set of blood vessels have the smallest diameter?

Answer 18

Capillaries

Question 19

What are the three types of capillary?

Answer 19

Continuous
Fenestrated
Discontinuous

Question 20

Of the three types of capillary - what is the most common?

Answer 20

Continuous capillary

Question 21

Describe the structure of Fenestrated capillaries

Answer 21

Found in tissues with high exchange function. Endothelium has “pores” for exchange called Fenestrations

Question 22

Describe the structure of Discontinuous capillaries

Answer 22

Found in tissues with high cell and molecular exchange. Physical gaps are found between endothelial cells

Question 23

Structurally, how are veins different from arteries? 3 differences

Answer 23

1. No internal elastic lamina
2. Thinner tunica media
3. Presence of valves to prevent backflow

Question 24

Do arteries have valves?

Answer 24

No

Question 25

Do lymphatic vessels have valves?

Answer 25

Yes

Question 26

What are the three layers of the heart?

Answer 26

Endocardium
Myocardium (heart muscle)
Epicardium