Vascular System Flashcards
Red drawing
Oxygenated
Blue drawing
Deoxygenated
Vascular system components
Arteries, arterioles, veins, venules, capillaries
Arteries function
Carry oxygenated blood to tissues
Bifurcate
Branch (eg arteries bifurcate into smaller arteries)
Veins converge
To venules to form larger veins
Veins function
Return blood to the heart through the superior vena cava
Capillaries function
Provide nutrients, remove waste products
Starts at the heart ->
Artery, arteriole, capillary, venule, vein, heart
Blood vessels have 3 linings
Tunica interna - inner most lining
Tunica media
Tunica externa- outer most lining
Endothelium cells function
Regulate blood flow, prevent clotting, produce chemicals to relax smooth muscle to help blood flow
Tunica externa is made of
Connective tissue fibres
Tunica externa helps
Support blood vessels
Vasoconstriction
Blood vessels constrict
Vasodilation
Blood vessels dilate to help with thermoregulation
Aorta features
Thick tunica media, lots of elastin and smooth muscle so it can expand and recoil, large lumen with low resistance to blood flow
Elastic artery example
Aorta
Arterioles features
Smallest arteries, close to capillaries for gas exchange, resistance vessels to help maintain hydrostatic pressure
Venous system problems
Varicose veins- long hours standing or too fast weight gain
Venules have a
Superior and inferior vena cava
Capillaries features
Thinnest walls for gas exchange
