Overview of the Cardiovascular System

Question 1

Functions of the cardiovascular (5)

Answer 1

1. Oxygen and carbon dioxide transport
2. Nutrient transport (picked up in gut, stored in liver)
3. Metabolites (excreted by kidneys)
4. endocrine hormones
5. Regulates and distributes body temperature

Question 2

Significance of vascular beds being arranged in series

Answer 2

Cardiac pumps in series - equal output.

Question 3

Significance of vascular beds being arranged in parallel

Answer 3

Most vascular beds in parallel - All tissues get oxygenated blood
- Allows regional redirection of blood (e.g. during exercise)

Question 4

Darcy’s Law

Answer 4

Flow = Pressure Difference/ Resistance

Pressure difference = MAP - CVP
Resistance = determined by radius (of arterioles)

Question 5

Elastic arteries

• Example (1)
• Properties (2)
• Function (1)

Answer 5

• Aorta
• Wide lumen
• Elastic wall
• Dampen pressure variations

Question 6

Muscular arteries

• Properties (2)
• Function (1)

Answer 6

• Wide lumen
• Strong non-elastic wall
• Low resistance conduit

Question 7

Arterioles

• Properties (2)
• Function (2)

Answer 7

• Narrow lumen
• Thick contractile wall
• Control resistance (affect afterload)
• Allow regional redirection of blood

Question 8

Capillaries

• Properties (2)
• Function (1)

Answer 8

• Narrow lumen
• Very thin wall
• Exchange vessels

Question 9

Venules and veins

• Properties (2)
• Function (3)

Answer 9

• Wide lumen
• Distensible wall
• Stores blood (reservoir)
• Low resistance conduit (capacitance vessels)
• Allows fractional distribution of blood between veins and rest of circulation (effect preload)