Endothelial tissue - BTEC APPLIED SCIENCE

Endothelial cells

The thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of all blood vessels. One cell thick in the endothelium.

What is the function of an endothelial cell

Their function is to provide a smooth surface so that blood flows easily over then

What are the three blood vessels

arteries, veins, capillaries

What is the structure difference between veins and arteries

they both have a thick outer layer of connective and Elastic tissue to prevent collapse of the blood vessels. This is thicker in veins as they are more likely due to low blood pressure.

they also have a middle layer composed of smooth muscles and connective and elastic tissue. This is thicker in arteries to withstand higher blood pressure

they both have an inner layer of endothelial tissue

The structure of capillaries

capillaries only have one single layer of endothelium to allow easy exchange of nutrients and oxygen into the tissues and the removal of waste products

What is atherosclerosis?

Is the disease process that leads to coronary diseases and cardiovascular disease (strokes)

What causes atherosclerosis?

Excess LDL deposition (cholesterol) on blood vessel walls, inflammation, plague build up. The arteries are now narrow and less elastic, blood flow is restricted and increased risk of blood clotting - increasing blood pressure and damaging the endothelial tissues even more.

Why does smoking cause atherosclerosis

Cigarette contains many toxic chemicals. This thicken the blood, causing fatty deposit buildup in the wall of the arteries and increase risk of clotting. Smoking also increases blood pressure, which can damage to the endothelium lining and further cause formation of plaque

process of atherosclerosis

1. Endothelial tissue lining of artery damaged (smoking, high blood pressure)

2. LDL Cholesterol accumulates around the artery wall

3. This causes inflammation and blood cells move into the artery wall

4. Overtime, build up of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium salts build a plaque (atheroma)

5. Arteries narrow, loss of elasticity restricts blood flow. Increase blood flow and further damage