blood/cardiovascular system review

Carrier of gases, nutrients, and waste products

Carrier of gases, nutrients, and waste products

Blood transports oxygen from the lungs to cells and carries carbon dioxide, nutrients, ions, and water from the digestive tract to cells, and waste products from cells to the kidneys for elimination.

Clot formation

Clotting proteins in the blood help stem blood loss when a blood vessel is injured.

Transport of processed molecules

Most substances produced in one part of the body are transported in the blood to another part.

Protection against foreign substances

Antibodies in the blood help protect the body from pathogens.

Transport of regulatory molecules

Various hormones and enzymes that regulate body processes are carried from one part of the body to another within the blood.

Maintenance of body temperature

Blood transports warm blood from the inside to the surface of the body, where heat is released.

pH and osmosis regulation

Albumin in the blood acts as a buffer and helps regulate the pH of the blood, as well as contributes to the osmotic pressure to keep water in the bloodstream.

Managing blood supply

Variations in heart contraction match blood flow to changing metabolic needs.

Producing blood pressure

Heart contractions produce blood pressure for blood flow through vessels.

Securing one-way blood flow

Heart valves ensure one-way blood flow through the heart and vessels.

Transmitting blood

The heart separates pulmonary and systemic circulations, ensuring oxygenated blood flow to tissues.

Anatomy of the heart

The cardiovascular system is like a muscular pump with valves and plumbing tubes.

Heart structure and functions

The heart is a small, strong organ located in the mediastinum.

Layers of the heart

The heart has three layers - epicardium, myocardium, and endocardium.

Chambers of the heart

The heart has four chambers - two atria and two ventricles.

Associated great vessels

Superior and inferior vena cava, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, and aorta.

Heart valves

The heart has four valves - atrioventricular valves and semilunar valves.

Cardiac circulation vessels

Coronary arteries and cardiac veins supply and drain the myocardium.

Blood vessels

Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins form the vascular system.

Tunics

Blood vessel walls have three tunics - intima, media, and externa.

Physiology of the heart

The heart continuously pumps blood through the body.

Intrinsic conduction system of the heart

Spontaneous contractions of cardiac muscle cells give rhythm to the heart.

Cardiac cycle and heart sounds

Atria and ventricles contract and relax in a coordinated cycle.

Cardiac output

Amount of blood pumped out by each side of the heart in one minute.

Physiology of circulation

Efficiency of the circulatory system can be assessed through arterial blood and blood pressure measurements.

Cardiovascular vital signs

Arterial pulse, pulse rate, pressure points, blood pressure, and peripheral resistance.

Factors modifying basic heart rate

Autonomic nervous system activity, age, gender, exercise, and body temperature influence heart rate.

Renal factors

The kidneys regulate arterial blood pressure by adjusting blood volume through water excretion in urine.

Temperature

Cold causes vasoconstriction, while heat causes vasodilation.

Chemicals

Epinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure, nicotine causes vasoconstriction, alcohol and histamine cause vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.

Diet

A low-salt, low-saturated fat, and low-cholesterol diet helps prevent hypertension.

Blood circulation through the heart

The right and left sides of the heart work together for smooth blood circulation.

Entrance to the heart

Blood enters the heart through the inferior and superior vena cava into the right atrium.

Atrial contraction

Blood flows from the right atrium to the right ventricle during atrial contraction through the tricuspid valve.

Closure of the tricuspid valve

The tricuspid valve shuts to prevent blood backflow into the atria during ventricle contraction.

Ventricle contraction

Blood leaves the heart through the pulmonic valve, into the pulmonary artery, and to the lungs for oxygenation.

Oxygen-rich blood circulates

Oxygen-rich blood from the lungs enters the left atrium through the pulmonary vein.

Opening of the mitral valve

Blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the open mitral valve during atrial contraction.

Prevention of backflow

The mitral valve shuts to prevent blood backflow into the atrium during ventricle contraction.

Blood flow to systemic circulation

Blood leaves the heart through the aortic valve, into the aorta, and to the body.

Capillary exchange of gases and nutrients

Substances move to and from body cells based on concentration gradients.

Capillary network

Capillaries form a network among cells, allowing substances to enter or leave cells easily.

Routes of capillary exchange

Substances can diffuse through lipid-soluble plasma membranes or pass through vesicles via endocytosis or exocytosis.

Intercellular clefts

Limited passage of fluid and small solutes occurs through intercellular clefts in capillaries.

Fenestrated capillaries

Fenestrated capillaries allow free passage of small solutes and fluid, found where absorption or filtration occurs.

Age-related physiological changes in the cardiovascular system

The heart's capacity for work decreases with age, and changes in arteries can negatively affect blood supply.