Chapter 14 - Blood Vessels, Blood Pressure and Blood Flow

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to blood vessels, blood pressure, and blood flow, as outlined in the lecture notes.

Flow = Pressure Gradient / Resistance (P/R)

Formula representing the relationship between blood flow, pressure gradient, and resistance in blood vessels.

Pressure Gradient

The difference in pressure between two locations that drives blood flow from high to low pressure.

Resistance

Any condition or situation that reduces blood flow through blood vessels; generally influenced by vessel radius, length, and blood viscosity.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average pressure in the aorta throughout the cardiac cycle, approximately 85mm Hg.

Central Venous Pressure (CVP)

The pressure in the large veins returning to the heart, approximately 2-8mm Hg.

Vasoconstriction

A decrease in vessel radius that increases resistance and reduces blood flow.

Vasodilation

An increase in vessel radius that decreases resistance and increases blood flow.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

Tunica Interna

The innermost layer of the arterial wall, lined with endothelium to reduce friction.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of the arterial wall composed of smooth muscle and elastic tissue, regulating blood pressure and flow.

Tunica Externa (Tunica Adventitia)

The outermost layer of the arterial wall, primarily composed of connective tissue.

Aorta

The largest human artery with a significant internal diameter, conducting oxygenated blood from the heart.

Arterioles

Small blood vessels that lead into capillaries and regulate blood flow and resistance.

Hyperemia

A higher-than-normal rate of blood flow to a particular organ or tissue.

Active Hyperemia

An increase in blood flow following increased metabolic activity in an organ.

Reactive Hyperemia

An increase in blood flow following a previous reduction in flow due to a blockage.

Myogenic Response

A change in vascular resistance that occurs in response to stretch of blood vessels.

Nitric Oxide

A chemical released by endothelial cells that stimulates vasodilation.

Compliance

The ability of veins to stretch easily, allowing them to act as volume reservoirs.

Venous Return

The process of blood returning to the heart via a pressure gradient between peripheral veins and the right atrium.

Baroreceptors

Special nerve cells located in large blood vessels that monitor and regulate blood pressure.

Hypertension

Persistently high blood pressure above 120/80, which can lead to various health issues.

Hypotension

Reduced blood pressure that may cause dizziness due to decreased blood flow to the brain.

Venous Pooling

The accumulation of blood in veins instead of moving to the heart, potentially causing light-headedness.

Filtration

The movement of fluid from blood into interstitial fluid in capillaries.

Absorption

The movement of fluid from interstitial fluid back into the blood.