Module 3 Flashcards
what is the overall purpose of the circulatory system
to provide adequate blood flow to all tissues/organs according to their immediate needs
define blood flow
the volume of blood flowing through a vessel, organ or the entire circulation
what 2 factors determine blood flow
- blood pressure
2. resistance
define blood pressure
the force exerted on a vessel wall by the blood in that vessel
define resistance
a measure of the amount of friction blood encounters as it flows through a vessel
(opposition to blood flow)
what are the 3 sources that affects total peripheral resistance (TPR)
- blood viscosity
- total blood vessel length
- blood vessel diameter
TPR: Viscosity
the thickness of fluid
- increase in RBC increases viscosity
- dehydration increases viscosity `
TPR: Vessel Length
resistance to flow increases as vessel length increases
e.g. easier to drink a milkshake through shorter straw
TPR: Vessel Diameter
the amount of contact between 2 surfaces determines friction
more contact blood has with the walls = more friction = more resistance to blood flow
what does increased vessel diameter result in
decreased contact between blood and vessel walls = decreased friction = decreased resistance to blood flow
what occurs as a result of vasoconstriction
decrease in daimeter = increases resistance = decreases blood flow
what occurs as a result of vasodilation
increases diameter = decreases resistance = increases blood flow
equation for blood flow
F= P/R
systemic blood pressure - when does the steepest drop in pressure occur and why
- arterioles
- resistance to blood flow = greatest
What are the 2 factors that reflects arterial pressure
- how much elastic fibres can be stretched
2. The volume of blood forced into the elastic arteries by ventricular contraction
define systolic pressure
peak pressure generated in the large arteries when the ventricles contract
define diastolic pressure
pressure in the large arteries during ventricular relaxation