study guide packet - vascular system

lines all the blood vessels

tunica intima

site for exchange of nutrients and oxygen

capillaries

layer of a blood vessel wall made of strong fibrous connective tissue

tunica externa

blood vessel containing one-way valves

medium-sized veins

produces chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate or constrict

tunica intima

larger protein molecules can pass through these vessels

sinusoids

another name for veins based on their ability to carry varying amounts of blood

capacitance vessels

blood vessels with the thickest walls

arteries

another name for arterioles based on their ability to affect blood pressure

resistance vessels

layer of a blood vessel wall containing muscle and elastic tissue that allows a vessel to change diameter

tunica media

arteries closest to the heart

conducting arteries

also called “muscular” vessels

distributing arteries

collect blood from capillaries

venules

vessels that connect to capillaries on the arteriole side

metarterioles

also referred to as elastic vessels

conducting arteries

venules converge to form these

medium sized veins

veins closest to the heart

large veins

deliver blood to specific organs

distributing arteries

layer of blood vessel wall that provides support and protection

tunica externa

center space of a blood vessel

lumen

Which blood vessels connect the two sides of the vascular system?

capillaries

How are capillaries organized?

capillaries branch off of arterioles to form a bed, or network, of many capillaries

Which blood vessels have the greatest ability to expand and recoil, and why is this important?

conducting arteries, so they can manage the surge of blood with systole and help propel blood during diastole

Why is it so important for the tunica intima to be smooth?

to help prevent blood clots

Which is the correct order of vessels in the arterial system, starting at the heart?

conducting arteries, distributing arteries, arterioles, capillaries

Which is the correct order of vessels in the venous system, beginning with capillaries?

venules, medium sized veins, large veins

Which blood vessel has the most significant role in controlling the amount of blood reaching the tissues?

arteriole

Capillary walls are composed of

a single layer of endothelium with basement membrane

Which best explains how the vascular system maintains blood pressure?

arterioles dilate or constrict to provide the correct amount of resistance to blood flow

What happens as blood is transported from the aorta to the capillaries?

resistance increases

How does the cardiovascular system meet the metabolic needs of skeletal muscle during strenuous exercise?

it opens up capillary beds in skeletal muscle

What would occur in the capillary bed if osmotic pressure in the venule end was equal to osmotic pressure in the tissues?

carbon dioxide and waste products would remain in the tissue fluid

Which process pushes plasma and dissolved nutrients through the arterial end of the capillary wall?

filtration

What is diffusion from the standpoint of capillary exchange?

movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

A patient who cannot walk because of severe arthritis develops edema in both ankles. Based on your understanding of edema, capillary pressure, and mechanisms of capillary exchange, which action would help decrease the patient’s edema?

elevate the patient’s legs

The coronary arteries arise from which major artery?

ascending aorta

Which area of the aorta supplies blood to the liver?

abdominal aorta

Which are the three branches of the aortic arch?

left common carotid, brachiocephalic, and left subclavian arteries

The abdominal aorta divides into

the right and left common iliac arteries

Which arteries provide most of the brain’s blood supply?

internal carotid arteries

Which organs receive blood from the mesenteric arteries?

intestines

The most common site for routine assessment of heart rate is the

radial artery

The blood vessel that receives all blood returning from below the level of the heart is the

inferior vena cava

Which blood vessel(s) does blood enter after leaving the portal vein?

sinusoids

What is the function of the pulmonary circulation?

to bring deoxygenated blood to the alveoli for gas exchange

How does blood flow through the pulmonary circulation?

right ventricle, pulmonary arteries, lobar arteries, capillary beds, lobar veins, pulmonary vein, left atrium

What effect does reducing peripheral resistance have?

it increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure

How is it possible to have two separate circulatory systems (pulmonary and systemic)?

the heart is really two separate pumps; circulation to the lungs needs one pump, whereas circulation to the body needs a separate pump

What is a portal system of circulation?

circulation of blood through two capillary beds before returning to the heart

Where is blood flow slowest, and what contributes to the diminished velocity?

flow is slowest in the capillaries because of their larger cross sectional area and narrow diameter

Although cardiac contractions supply some of the power propelling blood through the vascular system, what other property of the circulatory system keeps blood circulating?

pressure gradients

The maximum pressure generated during ventricular contraction is called

systolic pressure

Where in the cardiovascular system are the highest and the lowest pressures found?

aorta (highest), capillaries (lowest)

What is peripheral resistance?

any property of the peripheral vascular system or blood that increases friction

Which is the most significant factor affecting peripheral resistance?

blood vessel diameter

Which three factors determine blood pressure?

resistance, blood volume, cardiac output

Which factors cause blood pressure to rise?

increased cardiac output, increased blood volume, increased resistance

What causes the friction in blood vessels that affects blood pressure?

blood viscosity and blood vessel diameter

The pressure gradient in the vascular system must be high enough to overcome which of the following factors?

peripheral resistance and gravity

Which statement best explains why a person with a systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg might have a blood pressure of only 70 mm Hg in the arterioles?

the person has abnormally high arteriole blood pressure

How is peripheral resistance related to blood pressure?

blood pressure must rise until it overcomes peripheral resistance

How does vasodilation decrease blood pressure?

it decreases resistance, which means less pressure is required to overcome the resistance

Which brain structure coordinates blood pressure control?

medulla

What mechanisms assist venous return?

one-way valves, skeletal muscle contractions, pressure changes during breathing

What is the probable cause of ankle edema in a person with right sided heart failure?

increased capillary filtration

Which actions cause blood pressure to fall?

stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide

Atrial walls are ____ than venous walls because they are subjected to greater ____.

thicker; pressure

_____ carry blood away from the heart, and ____ return blood to the heart.

arteries; veins

Arteries in the brain unite to form the _____ which helps ensure that the brain receives an adequate supply of blood

circle of willis

The two major pathways of circulation are the ____ system and the ____ system.

pulmonary; systemic

The two principal veins of the legs are the ____ veins and the ____ veins.

great saphenous; popliteal

The ____ is the main vessel that receives blood from the head, shoulders, and arms.

superior vena cava

The two arteries that supply blood to the head and the brain are the ____ and ____ arteries

carotid; vertebral

An increase in blood volume will cause blood pressure to _____

increase

The ____ of a vessel determines how fast blood flows

diameter

The greater the blood’s _____, the more it resists free flow

viscosity

The condition in which an artery becomes rigid is called _____.

arteriosclerosis

The buildup of a substance called plague in arterial walls results in a condition called ____.

atherosclerosis