ANAT 260 – Blood, Heart, Vessels & Lymphatic System (Ch. 20-23)

Comprehensive Q&A flashcards covering blood composition, heart anatomy & physiology, vascular organization, and lymphatic system functions for ANAT 260 (Ch. 20-23).

What type of tissue is blood classified as?

Connective tissue.

Name the two major components of blood.

Plasma (matrix) and formed elements (cellular components).

What is the normal pH range of blood?

7.35 – 7.45.

What is the normal temperature of blood in °F?

100 – 100.5 °F.

Define hypovolemic.

A condition of low blood volume.

Define hypervolemic.

A condition of excessive blood volume.

Normal blood volume in males vs. females?

Males: 4-6 L; Females: 4-5 L.

Approximately what percentage of whole blood is plasma?

~55 %.

What percentage of plasma is water?

92 %.

Name the three main plasma proteins and their primary functions.

Albumins (osmotic balance & transport), Globulins (antibodies & transport), Fibrinogen (clotting).

Which plasma protein is most abundant?

Albumins (≈60 %).

Which plasma protein is largest?

Fibrinogen.

What percent of whole blood volume is composed of formed elements?

≈45 %.

Which formed element is most abundant?

Erythrocytes (RBCs).

Most common of WBCs

Neutrophils

Least Numerous Of WBCs

Basophils

Describe the shape of an erythrocyte.

A biconcave disc with a thin central region.

Average diameter of an erythrocyte?

~7.7 µm.

Why do mature RBCs lack nuclei and organelles?

To maximize room for hemoglobin and increase flexibility.

Life span of an erythrocyte?

≈120 days (4 months).

Where are old RBCs primarily removed from circulation?

The spleen (and liver).

Roughly what fraction of RBC protein is hemoglobin?

≈95 % of RBC protein content.

Volume percentage in RBC

Water 66%

Protein 33%

Which metal ion in hemoglobin binds oxygen?

Iron (Fe²⁺) in each heme group.

Define hematocrit.

The percentage of whole blood volume occupied by erythrocytes.

What is polycythemia?

An abnormally elevated hematocrit (excess RBCs).

What is anemia?

A decreased hematocrit and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.

Blood type is determined by what molecules on RBC surfaces?

Agglutinogens (antigens) A, B, and D (Rh).

What does Agglutinogen D do

Give blood its positive or negative, if it has Rh it becomes positive or if it lacks negative

What blood type has no A or B agglutinogens?

Type O.

Define hemolysis.

Breakdown of RBCs, often due to incompatible transfusion.

Normal WBC count per microliter?

6,000 – 9,000 WBCs/µL.

Instrument used for total WBC count?

Hemocytometer.

Define leukopenia.

Abnormally low WBC count.

Define leukocytosis.

Abnormally high WBC count.

Which leukocytes are granulocytes?

Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Basophils.

Primary function of basophils?

Release histamine (vasodilation) and heparin (anticoagulant). Involved in hypersensitivity reactions (allergies)

Typical percentage of basophils in WBCs?

< 1 %.

What do eosinophils mainly combat?

Parasitic infections and allergens; they reduce inflammation.

What kind of nucleus do eosinophils have

Bilobed nucleus

Normal eosinophil range?

2 – 4 % of WBCs.

Which WBC is first to arrive at a bacterial site?

Neutrophils (active phagocytes).

Normal neutrophil range?

50 – 70 % of WBCs.

What kind of nucleus do neutrophils have

Multilobed nucleus

Which leukocytes are agranulocytes?

Lymphocytes and Monocytes.

Main function of lymphocytes?

Specific (adaptive) immunity.

Two major types of lymphocytes and their roles?

B cells (produce antibodies) and T cells (cell-mediated responses).

Lymphocyte Nucelus

Nucleus is large leaving a small halo around it

Normal lymphocyte range?

20 – 30 % of WBCs.

What do monocytes become once they leave blood?

Macrophages (large phagocytic cells).

Normal monocyte range?

2 – 8 % of WBCs.

Large phagocytic cells

Langerhans cells in the skin

Microglial cells in the CNS

Platelets are fragments of which precursor cell?

Megakaryocytes.

Primary role of platelets?

Hemostasis—initiate clotting and form platelet plugs.

Low platelet count term?

Thrombocytopenia.

Excessively high platelet count term?

Thrombocytosis.

Which clotting disorder involves missing clotting factors?

Hemophilia.

What cavity contains the heart?

The pericardial cavity within the mediastinum.

Base vs. apex of the heart?

Base is the broad superior portion; apex is the inferior pointed tip.

Average daily heartbeats?

≈100,000 per day.

Typical cardiac output range per minute?

≈5 – 30 L/min (depends on activity).

Layers of the pericardium?

Fibrous pericardium + parietal serous pericardium (forming pericardial sac) and visceral serous pericardium (epicardium).

Function of the pericardium

Anchoring, preventing over expansion, reducing friction and protecting from infection

Name the three layers of the heart wall from outermost to innermost.

Epicardium, Myocardium, Endocardium.

What surface grooves mark boundaries between heart chambers externally?

Interatrial sulcus, coronary sulcus, anterior & posterior interventricular sulci.

Interatrial sulcus

Separates left and right atria

Coronary sulcus

Separates the atria and the ventricles

Anterior/posterior interventricular sulcus

Separates the left and right ventricles

Embryonic remnant between pulmonary trunk & aorta?

Ligamentum arteriosum (from ductus arteriosus).

Define pulmonary circuit.

Right-sided circuit carrying deoxygenated blood to lungs and back to heart.

Define systemic circuit.

Left-sided circuit delivering oxygenated blood to body and returning deoxygenated blood.

Which great vein drains the head & neck?

Superior vena cava.

Which great vein drains abdomen, pelvis & lower limbs?

Inferior vena cava.

Which ventricle has the thickest wall and why?

Left ventricle; it must generate highest pressure for systemic circulation.

Function of heart valves?

Ensure one-way flow of blood through the heart.

Name the two atrioventricular (AV) valves.

Tricuspid (right) and Bicuspid/Mitral (left).

Right Atrium

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body (systemic circulation) via the superior and inferior vena cava

Right Ventricle

Pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary circulation) to the lungs

Left atrium

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins

Left ventricle

Pumps oxygenated blood into the aorta (systemic circulation) to supply the entire body

Name the two semilunar valves.

Pulmonary (right) and Aortic (left).

During ventricular diastole, which valves are open?

AV valves (tricuspid & bicuspid).

During ventricular systole, which valves are open?

Semilunar valves (pulmonary & aortic).

What structures anchor AV valve cusps to ventricular walls?

Chordae tendineae attached to papillary muscles.

What is the moderator band and its function?

A muscular ridge in RV that prevents over-expansion and conducts impulses.

Embryonic remnant in interatrial septum?

Fossa ovalis (from foramen ovale).

Trace a drop of deoxygenated blood from body to lungs.

Systemic veins → SVC/IVC/coronary sinus → Right atrium → Tricuspid valve → Right ventricle → Pulmonary semilunar valve → Pulmonary trunk → Pulmonary arteries → Lungs.

Trace oxygenated blood from lungs to body.

Pulmonary veins → Left atrium → Mitral valve → Left ventricle → Aortic semilunar valve → Aorta → Systemic circulation.

Which vessels supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium?

Coronary arteries (RCA & LCA branches).

Where do most coronary veins drain?

Into the coronary sinus → Right atrium.

Which node is the heart’s pacemaker?

Sinoatrial (SA) node.

Order of electrical conduction through the heart.

SA node → AV node → AV bundle (Bundle of His) → L & R bundle branches → Purkinje fibers.

Define tachycardia.

Resting heart rate above normal (>100 bpm).

Define bradycardia.

Resting heart rate below normal (<60 bpm).

Which blood-vessel wall layer controls vasoconstriction?

Tunica media (smooth muscle).

Name the three tunics of a typical artery or vein.

Tunica intima, tunica media, tunica adventitia.

What small vessels supply the walls of larger vessels?

Vasa vasorum.

Compare artery and vein wall thickness.

Arteries have thicker walls with more smooth muscle; veins are thinner and may collapse.

Largest type of artery and example.

Elastic arteries; e.g., aorta, pulmonary trunk.

Artery type primarily controlled by autonomic nervous system for diameter change.

Muscular arteries.