Blood Vessels & Circulation Flashcards

Flashcards for key terms and concepts from the Blood Vessels & Circulation chapter to aid in exam preparation.

Tunica media

The layer of a blood vessel made of smooth muscle responsible for vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Conducting (elastic) artery

The largest type of artery that expands during systole and recoils during diastole.

Capillaries

Blood vessels that serve as the primary site of nutrient, gas, and waste exchange.

Fenestrated capillary

A type of capillary that contains filtration pores for rapid absorption and filtration.

Systemic veins

Most of the body’s blood at rest is found in these vessels.

Varicose veins

A condition caused by the failure of venous valves, leading to blood pooling in lower limbs.

Portal system

A system where blood passes through two capillary beds before returning to the heart.

120/75 mmHg

Approximate normal blood pressure for a young adult.

Systolic and diastolic pressure

Pulse pressure is the difference between these two measurements.

Vessel radius

The factor that has the greatest immediate control over resistance and blood flow.

Autoregulation

The ability of a tissue to regulate its own blood supply.

Vasoconstriction

The effect of angiotensin II on blood vessels.

High hydrostatic pressure

Fluid leaves the arterial end of a capillary due to this pressure.

Increased venous return

Not a cause of edema, unlike increased capillary filtration, reduced capillary reabsorption, and blocked lymphatic drainage.

Venous return

The skeletal muscle pump is especially important for this process.

Inferior vena cava

The vein that returns blood from the lower limbs and pelvis to the heart.

Oxygen-poor blood to the lungs

Pulmonary arteries carry this type of blood.

Hepatic portal vein

The vessel that drains digestive organs and delivers nutrient-rich blood to the liver.

Veins

In this type of blood vessel, blood pressure is the lowest.

Increased thoracic pump and skeletal muscle contractions

Contributes most to venous return during exercise.