Vascular System

vascular system

is a major part of the circulatory system. It is of special importance to the phlebotomist who must access it to obtain blood specimens for laboratory testing.

pulmonary, systemic circulation

There are two divisions of vascular system

pulmonary circulation

carries blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs to remove carbon dioxide and pick up oxygen; the oxygenated blood is then returned to the left atrium of the heart.

systemic circulation

serves the rest of the body, carrying oxygenated blood and nutrients from the left ventricle of the heart to the body cells and then returning to the right atrium of the heart with blood carrying carbon dioxide and other waste products of metabolism from the cells.

Tunica externa, media, intima

The walls of the arteries and veins consist of three layers.

Arteries

Are large thick-walled blood vessels that propel oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the capillaries.

Arterioles

Arteries branch into smaller thinner vessels called

Pulmonary artery

is the only artery that carries deoxygenated, or oxygen-poor, blood.

Veins

have thinner walls than arteries and carry oxygen-poor blood, carbon dioxide, and other waste products back to the heart. NO GASEOUS EXCHANGE TAKES PLACE IN THE VEINS, only in the capillaries.

venous blood.

Most blood tests are performed on ?

Venipuncture

is the procedure for removing blood from a vein for analysis.

Venules

are small veins that connect capillaries to larger veins.

pulmonary vein

the only vein that carries oxygenated blood.

Capillaries

are the smallest blood vessels.

arterial and venous blood.

The blood in capillaries is a mixture of?

Antecubital Fossa

• is the shallow triangular depression in the arm that is anterior to (in front of) and slightly below the bend of the elbow 

• It is the first-choice location for venipuncture because several major arm veins lie close to the surface in this area, making them relatively easy to locate and penetrate with a needle.

median cubital vein

Located near the center of the antecubital area, it is the first choice for venipuncture in the M-shaped pattern because it is well anchored, tends to be less painful to puncture, and is not as close to major nerves or arteries as the others, making it generally the safest one to use.

Cephalic

Located in the lateral aspect of the antecubital area, it is the second choice for venipuncture in the M-shaped pattern because it is accessible and is for the most part located away from major nerves or arteries, making it generally safe to puncture. It is also less likely to roll and relatively less painful to puncture.

Basilic Vein

Located in the medial aspect of the antecubital area, it is the last choice for venipuncture in the M-shaped pattern (even though it may appear larger and more accessible) because it is more painful to puncture

bicipital aponeurosis

The median vein and the lateral aspect of the median cubital vein overlie a fibrous membrane called the

Aneurysm

Localized dilation or bulging in the wall of a blood vessel, usually an artery

Arteriosclerosis

Thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of artery walls

Atherosclerosis

Form of arteriosclerosis involving thickening of the intima of the artery due to the buildup of plaque (lipid–calcium deposits)

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation

Pathological widespread clotting and fibrinolysis in which coagulation factors are consumed to such an extent that bleeding occurs

Embolism

Obstruction of a blood vessel by an embolus

Embolus

Blood clot, part of a blood clot, or other mass of undissolved matter circulating in the bloodstream

Hemorrhoids

Phlebitis

Inflammation of a vein

Thrombophlebitis

Inflammation of a vein along with thrombus (blood clot) formation

Thrombus

Blood clot in a blood vessel or organ

Varicose veins

Swollen, knotted superficial veins. Usually found in the legs, these are veins that have been twisted and enlarged.

Tests for vascular system disorder

• D-dimer

• Fibrin degradation products (FDP)

• Lipoproteins

• Partial thromboplastin time (PTT/APTT)

• Platelet function analysis/assay (PFA)

• Prothrombin time (PT)

• Triglycerides