Week 4: Blood pressure Flashcards
What is the primary function of the CVS control center?
To maintain a high bloop pressure in the arteries to ensure all tissues and organs recieve a good blood supply.
How is regulation of cardiac output monitored? (formular)
CO = HR x SV
How can we calculate MAP?
MAP = CO x TPR
How are variations in BP regulated?
By baroreceptor mechanisms
What are stretch receptors? where are they found in relation to the Cardiovascular system?
Stretch receptors are modified muscle cells that are found in the walls of the blood vessels and in the heart itself and they work to effectively measure pressure and volume.
What are baroreceptors and where are they found? what are the two main ones?
Baroreceptors are high pressure receptors of stretch, they are situated on a direct route between the heart and the brain which is very useful for monitoring blood pressure.
They measure the stretch due to blood pressure in arterial walls
The two main ones are the aortic arch and the carotid sinus.
Explain the baroreceptor reflex in response to an increase in BP as a negative feedback loop using this template with key codes:
What are low pressure receptors? where are they found?
These nerves fire when there is an increase in stretch (volume) of the right atrium. They are located in the walls of the atria and great venous vessels.
What is the bainbridge reflex?
An increase in HR due to an increase in venous pressure due to a increase in blood volume detected bu the low pressure recptors in the atria.
Why would it be important to have an increase of blood flow to the skin during exercise?
We need to excrete excess heat through sweat.
What is an arteriole?
A small artery that delivers blood to capillaries
How is the structure of arteiroles related to how it is controlled to the SNS?
Arterioles contain a thick layer of smooth muscle that is richly innervated by the SNS. The smooth muscle is also very sensitive to many local chemical changes (circulating hormones).
What is vasomotor tone?
The partial constriction that a vessel requires so that it does not collapse during regular activity.
What are the major resistance vessels of the CVS? why is this?
Arterioles:
- Are able to convert pulsatile flow coming from the aorta to smooth flow for the capilaries
- Cause the MAP decrease on average from 93mmHg (Thick end of arteriolar system) to 37mmHg (by the time of arrival to capillaries)
What are the two categories of control for arteriolar smooth muscle contractility?
Intrisic controls:
- Important in matching blood flow to the metabolic needs of the tissue in which they occur
Extrinsic controls:
- Important in MAP regulation
What type of influencers do intrisic controls regulate?
Chemical:
- Local metabolic changes
- Histamine release
Physical Influences:
- Temperature
- Myogenic Responses to stretch
What is active hyperaemia?
Active hyperemia is the increase in organ blood flow (hyperemia) that is associated with increased metabolic activity of an organ or tissue.
What does histamine do in relation to blood flow?
Mast cells release Histamine in response to allergic reactions or damage to a tissue and the histamine causes vasodilation allowing for more blood flow to the designated area so that leukocytes can do their thing.
What happens during active hyperaemia? (pathway)
Increased tissue metabolism causes an increase of metabolic vasodilators into ECF. This causes the arterioles to vasodilate which decreases resistance allowing for more blood flow. The increase in blood flow allows for an increase in oxygen and nutrient supply to tissues.