The Peripheral Circulation Flashcards
Describe capillaries
Exchange vessels
Thin walled and have small diameter
Big surface area: volume ratio
Where are clefts in capillaries?
Between epithelial cells
Where are pores in capillaries?
Across epithelial cells
Explain continuous capillaries
No clefts or pores ex. brain
Clefts only ex. muscles and most other capillaries
Explain fenestrated capillaries
Clefts and pores ex. intestine and kidney for fluid exchange
Explain discontinuous capillaries
Clefts and massive pores ex. liver
What are the benefits of diffusion?
Non-saturable, self-regulating, non-polar substances across phospholipid membrane and polar substances cross by pores and clefts
What is bulk flow determined by?
Starling’s Forces
What are starling’s forces?
Capillary hydrostatic pressure vs ISF hydrostatic pressure
Plasma osmotic pressure vs ISF osmotic pressure
Net filtration pressure = (HC-HIF0 - (πC - πIF)
How much fluid is retained and lost per day?
20l lost
17l is regained
3l drains to lymphatics
How is the 3l of fluid drained in lymphatics?
Drains to lymphatic system to LN then to larger lymphatic vessels and makes way back up to heart where drains to vena cava
Then returned to CVS
What is oedema?
Accumulation of excess fluid
What could oedema be caused from?
Raised CVP
Lymphatic obstruction
Hypoproteinaemia
Increased capillary permeability
How does raised CVP cause oedema?
Raised CVP can be caused by ventricular failure
If left side not pumping blood correctly then blood can accumulate in lungs
Increase in hydrostatic pressure of capillaries leading to oedema
How does hypoproteinaemia cause oedema?
Protein helps build up oncotic pressure and pull water back in so if not enough protein then lose more fluid
What is Darcy’s Law?
Flow = Difference in pressure/ resistance
What can help control flow and redirect blood?
Varying the radius of resistance vessels