Overview of the Function of the Cardiovascular System Flashcards
What does the CVS carry around the body?
Oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, metabolites, hormones and heat
Are the pumps in the heart in series or parallel?
In series
Are the vascular beds in the body in series or parallel?
In parallel
Why are the vascular beds arranged as they are?
So that all tissues get oxygenated blood and regional redirection of blood can occur
Which vascular beds is the exception to the rule?
Liver (from gut) and anterior pituitary glands (from hypothalamus)
Which organs have the biggest difference between their cardiac output and oxygen consumption?
Heart, skin and kidneys
What is the formula for pressure difference?
Pressure difference = Mean Arterial Pressure - Central Venous Pressure
What is the formula for the flow?
Flow = Difference in pressure / Resistance
What is the major factor that affects the flow?
Resistance
Which blood vessels are described as the elastic arteries and have a wide lumen?
Aorta and pulmonary arteries
Which blood vessels have a strong non-elastic wall and low resistance?
Arteries
Which blood vessels have a narrow lumen, thick contractile walls and control regional redirection of blood flow?
Arterioles
Which blood vessels have a narrow lumen, thin wall and act as exchange vessels>?
Capillaries
Which blood vessels have a wide lumen, a thin wall, act as a reservoir and allow fractional distribution of blood?
Venules and veins
What is the function of the chordae tendinae?
To stop the valves from turning inside out
