Chapter 20: Blood Vessels

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts related to blood vessels, their structure, functions, and related medical conditions.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

Capillaries

Small blood vessels that connect the smallest arteries to the smallest veins.

Tunica Interna

The innermost layer of a blood vessel that lines the vessel and is exposed to blood.

Tunica Media

The middle layer of a blood vessel, consisting of smooth muscle, collagen, and elastic tissue.

Tunica Externa

The outermost layer of a blood vessel, consisting of loose connective tissue.

Vasa Vasorum

Small blood vessels that supply blood to the outer layers of larger vessels.

Aneurysm

A weak point in the artery wall that forms a bulging sac that can rupture.

Baroreflex

A reflex mediated by the carotid sinuses that helps regulate blood pressure.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory structures that monitor blood chemistry, such as the carotid and aortic bodies.

Capillary Bed

Networks of 10 to 100 capillaries that are involved in exchange.

Varicose Veins

Veins that have become enlarged and twisted due to backflow of blood.

Perfusion

The amount of blood flowing through an organ or tissue in a given time.

Sphygmomanometer

A device used to measure blood pressure.

Arteriosclerosis

The stiffening of arteries due to degeneration.

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of lipid deposits that become plaques in the arteries.

Hypertension

Chronic resting blood pressure higher than 130/80 mmHg.

Hypotension

Chronic low resting blood pressure.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels.

Vasomotion

The collective term for vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Capillary Exchange

The two-way movement of fluid across capillary walls allowing exchanges between blood and tissues.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure that drives fluid into a capillary.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure

The pressure that draws fluid into a capillary, primarily due to plasma proteins.