Week 2 - Structure and function of blood vessels Flashcards
types of vessels
Arteries
Veins
Artery
carries O2 away from heart
Veins
Returns blood to heart
two distinct circuits
Systemic
Pulmonary
Systemic
Moves blood from right side of heart to lungs
Oxygenates blood
brings blood back to the heart
Pulmonary
Moves blood from left side of heart to head and body
returns deoxygenated blood to right side
Arterioles
Thicker walls
smaller lumens
Lumens
hollow passageway
blood flows through
vasa vasorum
small vessels within walls of large arteries and veins
provides nutrients to vessel walls
Layers of a blood vessel (Arteriole)
Tunica Intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa
Tunica Intima
Inner layer
Releases chemicals that can open and constrict arteries
Endothelium
damage to this layer can cause clots
Tunica media
Middle layer
smooth muscle
allows for vasodilation and vasoconstriction
Vasodilation
widening of blood vessels
result of relaxation of blood vessel’s muscular walls
Vasoconstriction
narrowing of blood vessels
small muscles in their walls
Tunica externa
adventitia
outer layer
connective and elastic tissue
connective tissue
transports nutrients and wastes
defends against pathogens
stores fat
repairs damaged tissue
supports organs and cells
elastic tissue
composed mainly of elastic fibers
provides elasticity and resilience of tissue
How capillary beds work
blood moves from arterial system into capillaries
diffusion of blood, gases & nutrients occur here
can widen and narrow arterioles so blood flow is regulated
Blood reservoir
Veins act as reservoirs
contains 64% of blood volume
high capacitance
High capacitance
ability to distend
When rediverting blood is needed
sympathetic stimulation causes venous walls to squeeze blood back to the heart
Systemic blood pressure
Systolic
Diastolic
Pulse pressure
Mean arterial pressure