Vascular System and Circulation Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing capillary mechanisms, vascular pathways, aortic branching, principal systemic arteries, and conditions such as edema based on lecture notes.

Sinusoid

An irregular, blood-filled capillary space found in organs such as the liver, bone marrow, and spleen that is highly permeable, allowing passage of large substances like proteins and blood cells into the bloodstream.

Capillary Exchange

The two-way exchange of fluid and substances between capillary walls and surrounding tissues, releasing oxygen, glucose, hormones, and nutrients while taking up waste products like carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Filtration (Capillary Exchange)

A mechanism occurring close to the arterial end of a capillary bed where higher capillary blood pressure ($30\text{ to }35\,mm\,Hg$) pushes plasma and dissolved nutrients through the capillary wall into surrounding tissue fluid.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure

A mechanism operating toward the venous side of a capillary bed where lower blood pressure ($10\,mm\,Hg$) allows plasma proteins, mainly albumin, to pull tissue fluid and cellular wastes back into the capillaries.

Edema

An accumulation of fluid in surrounding tissues that causes swelling when fluid filters out of the capillaries faster than it is reabsorbed.

Portal System

A circulatory route in which blood flows through two networks of capillary beds before returning to the heart, with the body's primary portal system located in the liver.

Anastomosis

The joining together of two blood vessels (such as arteriovenous or venous) to provide alternative routes of blood flow in case a vessel becomes obstructed.

Pulmonary Circulation

The circulatory pathway beginning at the right ventricle that routes deoxygenated blood through pulmonary arteries to the lungs for gas exchange and returns oxygenated blood through four pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation

The circulatory pathway beginning at the left ventricle that carries oxygen-rich blood through the aorta to the entire body before returning deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Ascending Aorta

The first region of the aorta rising a few centimeters above the left ventricle, which branches into the right and left coronary arteries to supply blood to the myocardium.

Aortic Arch

The second region of the aorta curving over the heart that gives rise to the brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.

Descending Aorta

The region of the aorta traveling downward dorsal to the heart, designated as the thoracic aorta above the diaphragm and the abdominal aorta below the diaphragm.

Brachiocephalic Artery

A major branch of the aortic arch that supplies blood to the head and right arm through its distal branches.

Celiac Trunk

A major branch of the abdominal aorta that divides into the gastric artery (stomach), splenic artery (spleen), and hepatic artery (liver).

Superior Mesenteric Artery

A branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to most of the small intestine and part of the large intestine.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

A branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the lower section of the large intestine.

Brachial Artery

The distal continuation of the axillary artery in the upper arm, serving as the artery most commonly used for routine blood pressure measurements.

Radial Artery

An artery located in the wrist that serves as the most common site used to palpate a person's pulse.

Common Iliac Arteries

The right and left arterial branches formed at the distal end split of the abdominal aorta, supplying blood to the pelvis, thighs, and lower extremities.