Pressure Drops Flashcards
The vascular system is a ____ system.
Closed
What does it mean to be a closed system?
All the energy must get used up from beginning to end (like voltage being used up around an electrical circuit).
The largest pressure drop is across which vessels?
Arterioles- the resistance vessels.
True or False: Pressure drops across the arteries are about the same as across the veins.
True- this also suggests that the resistance across both systems is about the same.
Even though veins are bigger in CSA than corresponding arteries, why are their pressure drops the same?
Veins are usually in a semi-collapsed state, offering more resistance.
Why is pulsatility increased in the more distal arteries?
Due to increased stiffness.
Why is BP higher in the ankle than in the arm?
There is higher pulsatility in distal arteries. The ankle is more distal than the arm.
What is pulsatility?
Pushing and relaxing. How far pressure deviates from the mean.
The ____ pressure is a better index of energy content than the peak.
Mean pressure
