Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Flashcards

Flashcards for Cardiovascular System Review

What is the difference between pulmonary and systemic arteries?

Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while systemic arteries carry oxygenated blood to the body's cells.

What are arterioles and what is their function?

Arterioles are the smallest arteries that control blood flow to individual tissues.

What is atherosclerosis?

The buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls.

What are baroreceptors?

Internal sensory receptors that detect pressure.

What are capillaries and what is their function?

Tiny vessels with only an endothelium and basal lamina, where oxygen, nutrients, water, and wastes are exchanged between blood and cells.

What does CVA or Stroke stand for and what does it cause?

A medical condition where blood flow to the brain is interrupted, causing brain tissue damage.

What does diastolic BP represent?

The lower number in a BP reading, representing the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats.

What is edema?

The collection of excess water in the interstitial fluid that results in swelling.

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure.

What is hypotension?

Any abnormally low blood pressure.

What are varicose veins?

Enlarged, twisted veins, usually found in the legs, that may be blue or red.

What is vasoconstriction?

The narrowing of a blood vessel due to contraction of a vascular smooth muscle.

What is vasodilation?

The opening of a blood vessel due to relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

What are the components of the cardiovascular system?

Heart, Blood Vessels (Arteries, Veins, Capillaries), Blood

What are the three types of blood vessels and their main functions?

Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, and capillaries facilitate the exchange of substances between blood and tissues.

How do the tunics of blood vessels differ in arteries vs. veins?

Arteries have a thicker tunica media and a thinner tunica externa compared to veins. Veins have thinner walls with a thinner tunica media and thicker tunica externa.

Explain and classify arteries into their 3 classes/types.

Elastic arteries are the largest and closest to the heart, muscular arteries are medium-sized and regulate blood flow, and arterioles are the smallest leading to capillary beds.

What is blood pressure? What are baroreceptors and where are they located?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Baroreceptors are pressure sensors in blood vessel walls, located primarily in the Aortic Arch and Carotid Sinuses.

What are the 3 main factors that determine blood pressure?

Cardiac output, Peripheral Vascular Resistance, Blood Volume

What neurotransmitters increase BP via the sympathetic nervous system, and which lowers BP via the parasympathetic nervous system?

Epinephrine and norepinephrine increase BP, while acetylcholine slows the HR and lowers BP.

What part of the brain stem receives input to regulate BP and blood flow?

The medulla oblongata

Explain the purpose of the Valsalva maneuver.

Breathing technique used to temporarily increase pressure in the chest and abdominal cavities to assess and sometimes treat certain medical conditions, particularly those related to the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems. It can also be used to equalize ear and sinus pressure.

Name 4 hormones which regulate BP & how they affect BP.

Angiotensin II, Aldosterone, Antidiuretic Hormone, Epinephrine/Norepinephrine - all increase BP.

Discuss the thickness of capillary walls and why they are designed that way.

Capillary walls are exceptionally thin to allow the efficient exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues.

What are the two types of pressure that drive water movement within a capillary?

Hydrostatic pressure and Osmotic pressure

Discuss how blood flows back to the heart in the venous system.

Venous Pressure, Right Atrial Pressure, and Intrathoracic Pressure

Define pulse and describe locations where a pulse is taken.

The rhythmic expansion and contraction of an artery that occurs with each heartbeat. Common locations are Radial Artery Wrist, Carotid Artery Neck, or Brachial Artery Inner Elbow

Name the major artery that brings O2 blood to the organ/s listed below and the vein that takes it away from that organ.

Kidneys: Renal Artery to Renal Vein , Lungs: Pulmonary Artery to Pulmonary Veins, Liver: Hepatic Artery to Inferior Vena Cava, Heart: Aorta to Pulmonary Veins, Arms: Brachial Artery to Axillary Vein, Small Intestines: Superior Mesenteric Artery to Superior Mesenteric Vein, Pancreas: Celiac Artery/Superior Mesenteric Artery to Splenic Vein/Superior Mesenteric Vein, Head/Brain: Carotid Arteries to Internal and External Jugular Veins, Large Intestines: Superior Mesenteric Artery to Superior Mesenteric Vein, Stomach: Celiac Artery to Splenic Vein, Legs: Femoral Artery to Femoral Vein