Disorders of Blood Vessels, Fluid, and Hemodynamics

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering blood vessel anatomy, blood pressure measurement, vascular diseases like hypertension and atherosclerosis, and various types of edema and cardiovascular symptoms.

Tunica interna (intima)

The innermost layer of a blood vessel composed of the endothelium and a basement membrane.

Tunica media

The middle layer of a blood vessel consisting of smooth muscle and elastic fibers.

Tunica externa (adventitia)

The outermost layer of an artery or vein.

Systolic pressure

The blood pressure recorded when Korotkoff sounds first appear; for a typical adult, this is approximately $120\,mmHg$.

Diastolic pressure

The blood pressure recorded when Korotkoff sounds disappear; for a typical adult, this is approximately $80\,mmHg$.

Korotkoff sounds

The sounds heard through a stethoscope during the measurement of blood pressure as the cuff pressure is released.

Hypertension

A chronic disease characterized by high arterial blood pressure, defined as Systolic > 130\,mmHg or Diastolic > 90\,mmHg.

Arteriosclerosis

The loss of elasticity and thickening of the artery wall.

Atherosclerosis

A condition where deposits of lipid matter containing cholesterol cause narrowing of the artery.

Plaque

A patch of atherosclerosis pushing into the endothelium that causes the arterial wall to harden and lose elasticity.

Embolus

Material floating in the blood that may stick in a vessel and occlude blood flow, leading to ischemia or organ death.

Aneurysm

A weakening in the wall of an artery that allows for bulging or rupture, such as fusiform, dissecting, or false types.

Raynaud Syndrome

A condition involving blood vessel reactivity where $80\%$ of cases are primary and others are secondary to autoimmune disorders like lupus.

Varicose Veins

Gnarled, enlarged, and twisted veins, most common in the legs and feet, caused by increased pressure from standing and walking upright.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

The formation of a blood clot within a deep vein, commonly occurring in the lower leg (calf) or thigh.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

A condition involving atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries of the legs, often resulting in muscle cramps during activity.

Intermittent claudication

Muscle cramps that develop during activity and are relieved with rest, caused by inadequate blood supply.

Endarterectomy

A surgical procedure involving opening an artery to clean out atherosclerotic plaque.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Tachycardia

A rapid heart rate, usually defined as a rate > 100 beats per minute.

Cardiac palpitations

An unusually strong, rapid, or irregular heart rate that is abnormal enough for the individual to feel it.

Ischemia

Hypoxia of cells or tissues caused by decreased blood flow.

Cyanosis

A bluish condition of the skin resulting from a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Hydrostatic edema

Edema caused by increased pressure in the vessels, such as venous backup during right-sided heart failure.

Oncotic edema

Edema caused by a reduction of colloid osmotic pressure, often due to hypoalbuminemia.

Lymphedema

Edema caused by the obstruction of lymph drainage.

Hypervolemic edema

Edema caused by the retention of sodium, which leads to the retention of water.