Overview of the function of the cardiovascular system Flashcards
What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?
The cardiovascular system delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues, removes waste products, transports hormones, and regulates temperature and pH balance.
Why is pressure important in the cardiovascular system?
Pressure drives blood flow, ensuring that oxygen and nutrients reach tissues while waste products are removed efficiently.
How does resistance affect blood flow in the cardiovascular system?
Resistance opposes blood flow, primarily influenced by vessel diameter, length, and blood viscosity, regulating perfusion to different organs.
What is the role of capacitance in the cardiovascular system?
Capacitance refers to the ability of blood vessels, especially veins, to store and regulate blood volume, maintaining stable circulation.
Why is it important that vascular beds are arranged in parallel?
Parallel arrangement reduces overall resistance and allows independent regulation of blood flow to different organs.
What is the significance of vascular beds arranged in series?
Series arrangement increases resistance and ensures sequential blood flow through specific organs, such as the hepatic portal circulation.
What is the function of elastic arteries?
Elastic arteries, like the aorta, stretch during systole and recoil during diastole to maintain continuous blood flow.
How do muscular arteries function in circulation?
Muscular arteries distribute blood to specific organs and regulate blood flow through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
What role do resistance vessels play in the cardiovascular system?
Resistance vessels, primarily arterioles, control blood pressure and flow distribution by adjusting their diameter.
Why are capacitance vessels important?
Capacitance vessels, mainly veins, store large volumes of blood and help regulate venous return and cardiac output.