The Circulatory System: Blood Vessels and Circulation

A comprehensive set of 60 vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes on the circulatory system, focusing on key terms and definitions related to blood vessels and circulation.

Artery

A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Vein

A blood vessel that carries blood back to the heart.

Capillary

A small blood vessel that connects arteries and veins, facilitating exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes.

Tunic

A layer of tissue that makes up the walls of blood vessels.

Tunica interna (tunica intima)

The innermost layer of a blood vessel, consisting of endothelial cells.

Tunica media

The middle layer of a blood vessel, made up of smooth muscle and elastic tissue.

Tunica externa (tunica adventitia)

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

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels, which increases blood pressure.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

Elastic arteries

Also called conducting arteries, they have thick walls and are able to expand and recoil.

Muscular arteries

Also known as distributing arteries, they carry blood to specific organs.

Arterioles

Smallest arteries that regulate blood flow to capillaries.

Venules

Small veins that collect blood from capillaries.

Venous reservoir

The capacity of veins to hold a large volume of blood.

Anastomosis

A connection between two blood vessels, often providing alternative pathways for blood.

Portal system

A system in which blood flows through two consecutive capillary networks before returning to the heart.

Hydrostatic pressure

The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity.

Colloid osmotic pressure (COP)

The pressure that draws fluids back into capillaries, primarily due to plasma proteins.

Mean arterial pressure (MAP)

The average blood pressure in a person's arteries during one cardiac cycle.

Total peripheral resistance (TPR)

The total resistance to blood flow in the systemic circulation.

Blood flow

The amount of blood moving through a blood vessel or organ in a given time.

Perfusion

The flow of blood per given volume or mass of tissue in a given time.

Hemodynamics

The study of blood flow and the forces involved.

Aneurysm

A localized, abnormal dilation of a blood vessel, often due to weakness in the vessel wall.

Baroreceptor

A sensory receptor that detects changes in blood pressure.

Chemoreceptor

A receptor that responds to chemical stimuli, such as changes in blood pH or oxygen levels.

Reactive hyperemia

An increase in blood flow following a period of insufficient flow.

Myogenic autoregulation

The ability of blood vessels to constrict or dilate in response to changes in blood pressure.

Precapillary sphincter

A band of smooth muscle that regulates blood flow into capillary beds.

Vasomotion

The change in diameter of blood vessels, including vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A hormone that promotes water retention in the kidneys, affecting blood pressure.

Aldosterone

A hormone that promotes sodium retention in the kidneys, influencing blood volume and pressure.

Epinephrine

A hormone released during stress that increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Natriuretic peptides

Hormones secreted by the heart that promote the excretion of sodium and reduce blood pressure.

Septic shock

A severe condition caused by infection, leading to dangerously low blood pressure.

Hypovolemic shock

A type of shock caused by significant blood loss.

Neurogenic shock

Shock caused by loss of sympathetic tone and vasodilation.

Hypertension

Chronically high blood pressure, often defined as higher than 130/80 mm Hg.

Hypotension

Chronically low blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis

A condition where arteries become narrowed and hardened due to plaque buildup.

Arteriosclerosis

The thickening and hardening of artery walls.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Filtration

The process by which fluids and solutes are forced out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues.

Reabsorption

The process by which fluids and solutes are drawn back into the capillaries from the surrounding tissues.

Capillary exchange

The two-way movement of fluids and solutes between capillaries and surrounding tissues.

Fluid dynamics

The study of the flow of fluids, including the principles governing blood flow in the circulatory system.

Edema

The accumulation of excess fluid in tissues, often caused by increased capillary filtration or reduced reabsorption.

Lymphedema

Swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs due to lymphatic system blockage.

Sphygmomanometer

An instrument used to measure blood pressure.

Cardiac output (CO)

The amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.

Pulmonary circuit

The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic circuit

The pathway of blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and back.

Brachiocephalic trunk

The first major artery branching off the aorta, supplying blood to the right arm and head.

Cerebral arterial circle (Circle of Willis)

A circle of arteries at the base of the brain that provides collateral circulation.

Superior and inferior mesenteric arteries

Arteries that supply blood to the intestines.

Common iliac artery

An artery that branches from the abdominal aorta and supplies blood to the pelvis and lower limbs.