Chapter 15: Circulation

Circulatory system

The system responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hormones throughout the body.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart.

Capillaries

Microscopic blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients occurs.

Pulmonary circulation

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

Systemic circulation

The flow of oxygenated blood from the heart to the body and return of deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Coronary circulation

The circulation of blood through the coronary arteries to supply the heart muscle.

Aorta

The largest artery in the body that carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

Superior vena cava

A large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the right atrium.

Inferior vena cava

A large vein that returns deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the right atrium.

Pulmonary artery

The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

Pulmonary vein

The vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.

Brachial artery

A major artery of the upper arm commonly used to measure blood pressure.

Carotid artery

A major artery in the neck that supplies blood to the brain.

Femoral artery

A large artery in the thigh that supplies blood to the lower limb.

Jugular vein

A vein in the neck that returns blood from the head to the heart.

Portal circulation

The flow of blood from the digestive organs to the liver via the portal vein.

Hepatic portal vein

The vein that carries nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver.

Liver

An organ that filters blood, metabolizes nutrients, and detoxifies substances received from portal circulation.

Pulse

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery as blood is pumped through it.

Blood pressure

The force of blood against the walls of blood vessels, measured in mmHg.

Systolic pressure

The pressure in arteries during heart contraction.

Diastolic pressure

The pressure in arteries during heart relaxation.

Normal blood pressure

Approximately 120

Hypertension

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Hypotension

Abnormally low blood pressure.

Shock

A condition where blood flow is inadequate to meet the body’s needs.

Aneurysm

A bulge in a blood vessel wall that may rupture and cause bleeding.

Varicose veins

Swollen, twisted veins usually occurring in the legs due to weakened valves.

Thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.

Embolism

A blockage in a blood vessel caused by a traveling clot or other material.

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein.

Raynaud’s disease

A condition that causes blood vessel spasms in the fingers and toes in response to cold or stress.

Arteriosclerosis

Hardening and thickening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis

A type of arteriosclerosis involving plaque buildup inside the arteries.

Stroke (CVA)

A sudden loss of brain function due to blocked or ruptured blood vessels.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, often a warning sign of stroke.

tunica adventidia

outer layer of blood vessel made of firbrous connective tissue

tunica media

middle layer of blood vessel made of muscle that controlls blood flwo throguh dilation and constriction

tunica intima

inner layer of blood vessel made of squamous epithelium