Vascular Physiology and Pharmacology Flashcards
what is the function of the vascular system?
to supply oxygenated blood and nutrients to tissues and remove waste products
outline how the blood travels through the heart?
the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where it is oxygenated and passes into the left side of the heart, and through the aorta to the body
by which mechanisms is blood flow to each tissue regulated?
local chemicals, general neuronal and humoral mechanisms
what are the three layers of blood vessels?
connective tissue adventitia, smooth muscle layer, and endothelium
what is the function of valves?
ensures unidirectional blood flow back to the heart
what is the function of capillaries?
allow oxygen and nutrients to enter the interstitial fluid and carbon dioxide and water to enter the blood stream
how are lipid soluble solutes transported across capillaries?
through diffusion across the phospholipid bilayer
how are lipid-insoluble solutes transported across capillaries?
molecules can diffuse through endothelial pores
what is meant by ‘blood brain barrier’?
the pores in capillaries within the brain are much tighter, the brain has a separate circulation. its purpose is to maintain constant conditions in the brain
how has the blood brain barrier been shown experimentally?
acidic dyes such as trypan blue can be injected into the blood stream, all tissues except brain and spinal cord will be stained. this occurs because charged molecules cannot pass through the charged pores
what is the role of the lymphatic system?
re-uptake of plasma components from interstitial fluid
what are lymph vessels permeable to?
macromolecules and proteins
where does lymph drain back into the circulation?
via subclavian and jugular veins
what does oedema refer to?
block of lymph flow and build up of protein from capillaries in interstitial spaces
how is blood pressure measured?
1) cuff inflated to 120 mmHg - stops arterial blood flow
2) cuff pressure 80-120mmHg - Korotkoff sounds made by pulsatile blood flow through a compressed artery (systolic measurement)
30 cuff pressure: <80mmHg - artery no longer compressed, diastolic measurement
why is the blood pressure cuff placed on the left arm?
presence of the brachial artery allows measurement close to the heart
what measurements do systolic and diastolic pressure give?
systolic: force of the heart
diastolic: basal BP in the system
how is blood pressure affected as elasticity and diameter of the blood vessel increase?
there is an increase in cross sectional area and blood pressure decreases
how hypertension defined?
diastolic arterial BP greater than 90mmHg
what is primary hypertension?
when there is no apparent cause, associated risk factors include genetic pre-disposition, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of exercise
what is secondary hypertension?
caused by renovascular disease or endocrine disease such as tumour of the adrenal gland
which factors regulate blood pressure?
- changes in cardiac output
- peripheral mechanisms involved in the control of blood flow
what are the main classes of blood pressure regulation?
- drugs that affect sympathetic nervous system/muscle contraction
- endothelium/local regulation
- renin-angiotensin system
- changes in blood volume