Microcirculation Flashcards

1
Q

What equation connects blood flow, pressure difference and resistance?

A

Flow = pressure difference/resistance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What factors affect vascular resistance?

A

Vessel radius, vessel length, blood viscosity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the relationship between resistance and radius?

A

Poiseuille’s law: resistance is inversely proportional to r^4

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the major resistance vessels?

A

Arterioles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Why can change in blood pressure be substituted by MAP?

A

The arterial blood pressure is usually MAP and the blood pressure in the veins is usually around 0 mm Hg so the change in blood pressure through a capillary bed is usually around MAP.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the normal state of vascular smooth muscle?

A

They are normally in a state of partial vascular constriction - vascular tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the two controls of vessel radius?

A

Intrinsic controls with the aim of changing perfusion to match metabolic needs
Extrinsic controls with the aim of regulating arterial blood pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Describe how vessel radius responds to the chemical environment.

A

When tissues are highly metabolically active they will produce a lot of ATP and use up a lot of oxygen. The increase uptake of oxygen is detected by the tissues, which sends a message to the arteriolar smooth muscle to dilate. This is active hyperemia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Describe how vessel radius responds to the physical environment.

A

When there is a decrease in blood temperature, the vascular smooth muscle will constrict so that less blood reaches the surface and so less heat is radiated away.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How can the flow rate, pressure difference and resistance equation be applied to the entire circulation?

A

Flow rate is cardiac output, pressure difference is mean arterial blood pressure and resistance is total peripheral resistance. CO = MABP/TPR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the two pathways controlling arterial blood pressure?

A

Neural and Hormonal Pathways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where is the centre that regulates arterial blood pressure found?

A

In the medulla - cardiovascular control centre

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the neuronal control of arterial blood pressure.

A

The brain controls arterial blood pressure via ADRENORECEPTORS:
Alpha - CONSTRICTION
Beta - Dilation
The sympathetic nervous system can also increase production of catecholamines (noradrenaline and adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla, which binds to increase heart rate and blood pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the hormonal control of arterial blood pressure.

A

Main hormones involved in blood pressure:
Angiotensin II
Vasopressin
These are both potent vasoconstrictors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is capillary exchange?

A

Delivery of metabolic substrates to the cells of an organism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What tissues have a high capillary density?

A

Skeletal muscle, myocardium, brain, lungs

17
Q

What are the three main types of capillary and how do they differ?

A

CONTINUOUS - small water filled gap junctions that allow the passage of electrolytes and small molecules (most substances move through endothelial cells) - MOST COMMON
FENESTRATED - slightly bigger gaps allowing slightly larger molecules to pass through
DISCONTINUOUS - large holes in the capillary

18
Q

What is the most common type of capillary?

A

Continuous

19
Q

How is the blood brain barrier different to other capillaries?

A

You do NOT have water-filled gap junctions but instead you have TIGHT gap junctions. So access of substances to the brain is tightly regulated.

20
Q

What is the name given to hydrostatic pressure and plasma osmotic pressure?

A

Starling’s Forces

21
Q

Describe some characteristics of the lymphatic system.

A

Consists of blind-ended lymphatic capillaries
Valves - prevent backflow
All but the right upper quadrant of the body drains via the thoracic duct into the left subclavian vein
The right upper quadrant drains into the left subclavian vein