Blood Vessels

Collection of flashcards covering key concepts on blood vessels, their structures, types, functions, and associated physiological mechanisms.

Types of Blood Vessels

Arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.

Function of Arteries

Take blood away from the heart to tissues.

Function of Arterioles

Small subdivisions in arteries that lead to capillaries.

Function of Capillaries

Thin-walled vessels that allow exchanges between blood and body tissues.

Function of Venules

Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and transport it back to the heart.

Function of Veins

Vessels formed by venules that carry blood back to the heart.

Oxygen-rich and Oxygen-depleted Blood

Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood; veins carry oxygen-depleted blood, except in the pulmonary circuit.

Mesentric arches

Communications between vessels that supply blood to the intestinal track

Superficial Palmer arch

Union of radio and ulnar arteries in the hand

Cerebral arterial circle

Receives blood from internal carotid arteries, and basilar arteries

Arcuate artery

Union of dorsalis pedis and TEAL artery

Drain into the inferior vena cava

Iliac vein, hepatic portal and lumbar vein

Azygos vein

Veins of chest wall Drains into the superior vena cava

The R Atrium

Right ventricle receives blood from

Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood to

Left atrium

The right atrium receives blood low and oxygen from

The systemic veins

Last ventricle receives blood from

The left atrium

Subclavian vein drains into

The portal vain

Splenic veins drains into

The portal vein

Superficial Vein examples

Median cubital, cephalic, basilac, saphenous

Deep vein examples

Axiliary radial ulnar Brachial

in the walls of Caroid arteries

Where are the baroreceptors?

Where is diastolic pressure the highest

In the large arteries

The abdominal aorta

It gives rise to the phrenic renal and ovarian arteries

Aortic arch

Gives rise to brachio cephalic left common carotid and left of subclavian arteries

Ascending aorta gives rise to

L &R coronary arteries,

Thoracic aorta

Supplies branches to the chest wall, esophagus, bronchi, lungs, and muscles of chest wall

Pulmonary Circuit

The system that carries blood from the heart to the lungs and back.

Systemic Circuit

The system that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Structure of Arteries

Thick walls made of three layers: inner (endothelium), middle (smooth muscle), and outer (connective tissue).

Elasticity in Arteries

Arteries have elastic tissue that allows them to stretch and return to original size.

Compliance in Blood Vessels

The ease with which a vessel can expand under pressure.

Function of Arterioles

Regulate the amount of blood that enters a tissue and assist in regulating blood pressure.

Capillary Walls

Capillary walls are as thin as a single cell layer, facilitating exchange.

Thinnest Blood Vessels

Capillaries are the thinnest of all blood vessels.

Structure of Veins

Veins have three layers similar to arteries, but walls are thinner and less elastic.

Valves in Veins

Prevent backflow of blood, ensuring it flows toward the heart.

Ascending Aorta

The section of the aorta that rises from the left ventricle.

Aortic Arch

Curves right from left and posteriorly, giving rise to several major arteries.

Descending Aorta

Includes thoracic and abdominal aorta, supplying blood to the lower body.

Celiac Trunk

Branches into gastric, splenic, and hepatic arteries supplying the stomach, spleen, and liver.

Renal Arteries

The largest paired branches of the abdominal aorta, supplying the kidneys.

Gonadal Arteries

Supply sex glands; ovarian arteries in females and testicular arteries in males.

Superior Mesenteric Artery

Supplies blood to most small intestines and part of the large intestines.

Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Supplies blood to the second half of the large intestine.

External Iliac Arteries

Branch into the femoral artery, supplying the thigh and leg.

Internal Iliac Arteries

Supply pelvic organs and urinary system.

Subclavian Arteries

Arteries that change names as they travel to the arms.

Distal Changes in Arteries

Subclavian to vertebral, axillary, brachial, radial, and ulnar arteries.

Common Carotid Arteries

Branch into internal and external carotid arteries, supplying the head and neck.

Anastomosis

Communication between two vessels providing alternate routes for blood flow.

Circle of Willis

An anastomosis that provides circulation to the brain.

Venous Sinuses

Channels that drain low oxygen blood without a typical vein structure.

Hepatic Portal System

Veins that carry blood from abdominal organs to the liver for processing.

Capillary Exchange Processes

Include diffusion, vesicle transport, and bulk flow.

Diffusion Mechanism

Movement of molecules from high to low concentrations.

Bulk Flow in Capillaries

Movement influenced by blood pressure and osmotic pressure.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Blood pressure that pushes fluid out of capillaries.

Osmotic Pressure

Pulling force that draws fluid back into capillaries due to proteins.

Capillary Blood Pressure Dynamics

Higher at arterial end; lower at venous end.

Blood Flow Regulation

Regulated to supply tissues based on demand and vessel diameter.

Vasomotor Control

Regulates blood vessel diameter affecting blood flow.

Vasodilation vs. Vasoconstriction

Vasodilation is the increase in vessel diameter; vasoconstriction is the decrease.

Blood Pressure Definition

Force of blood against vessel walls.

Systolic vs. Diastolic Pressure

Systolic is pressure during heart contraction; diastolic is pressure during relaxation.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Average pressure in arteries, typically closer to diastolic pressure.

Pulse Pressure Definition

Difference between systolic and diastolic pressures.

Baroreceptors

Respond to blood vessel stretching to regulate blood pressure.

Blood Viscosity

Thickness of blood, affecting blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis Definition

Hardening of arteries, often due to high fat diets.

Endarterectomy Definition

Surgical removal of plaque from arteries.

Aneurysm Definition

Localized weakness in a blood vessel wall that can burst.

Hemorrhage Definition

Significant loss of blood, life-threatening when over a liter.

Shock Definition

Inadequate blood flow to tissues.

Types of Shock: Cardiogenic

Result of heart not pumping effectively.

Types of Shock: Septic

Due to major bacterial infections.

Thrombosis Definition

Formation of a blood clot within a vessel.

Embolus Definition

Loosely floating clot that can block vessels and cause sudden health issues.

Varicose Veins Definition

Swollen and distorted veins due to valve damage.

Coronary Sinus Function

Receives blood from the heart wall.

Cranial Sinuses Definition

Channels that drain blood from the brain.

Transverse Sinuses Function

Drains blood from the brain to the jugulars.

Inferior Vena Cava Function

Receives blood from the lower body.

Superior Vena Cava Function

Receives blood from the upper body.

Jugular Veins Function

Drain blood from the head and neck.

Brachiocephalic Vein Definition

Unpaired vein formed by the union of jugular and subclavian veins.

Hemorrhagic Shock Characteristics

Low blood volume leading to decreased cardiac output and increased heart rate.

Pulmonary Circuit Overview

Arteries carry low oxygen blood from the heart to lungs; veins carry oxygen-rich blood back.

Capillaries Function

Exchange site between blood and tissues.

Comparison of Blood Vessel Types

Arteries are thicker and carry blood away; veins are thinner and carry blood back.

Pressure Changes in Blood Vessels

Pressure decreases as blood moves from arteries to veins.

Intercostal Arteries

Supply blood to the ribs and chest wall.

Diaphragm Role in Circulation

Pressure changes assist in venous return during breathing.

Blood Flow Direction in Veins

Veins direct blood back to the heart through larger vessels.

Superior Mesenteric Vein Function

Largest tributary to the hepatic portal.

Hepatic Portal Tributaries

Includes veins draining the spleen, stomach, and intestines.

Capillary Dynamics

Controlled by the balance between blood pressure and osmotic forces.

Cardiac Output Relation to Blood Pressure

Higher cardiac output generally results in higher blood pressure.

Blood Vessel Effectiveness

Depends on integrity and dilatation of blood vessels.

Importance of Venous Valves

Prevent backflow of blood, maintaining unidirectional flow.