Blood Vessels & Blood Pressure Review

Flashcards created from lecture notes on blood vessels and blood pressure for exam preparation.

What are the main components that regulate blood flow?

Blood flow is affected by pressure gradient and resistance.

What type of blood vessels offer little resistance due to their large diameter?

Elastic arteries.

What is the primary function of arterioles?

Control distribution of blood to organs and regulate capillary pressure.

How does vasodilation affect blood flow?

It decreases resistance and increases flow through the vessel.

What is mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

Average pressure in the vessel through the cardiac cycle, calculated as MAP = DP + 1/3 pulse pressure.

What factor primarily determines peripheral resistance?

Radius of the blood vessels.

What is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?

Systolic pressure is the maximum pressure during ventricular systole, while diastolic pressure is the minimum during ventricular diastole.

How do baroreceptors contribute to blood pressure regulation?

They monitor MAP and initiate reflex responses to maintain stable blood pressure.

What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have on blood pressure?

It increases heart rate and peripheral resistance, elevating blood pressure.

What mechanism allows fluid to exit capillaries?

Hydrostatic pressure is greater than blood colloidal osmotic pressure, resulting in fluid filtration.

How is excess interstitial fluid managed in the body?

It is picked up by lymphatic vessels.

What is atherosclerosis?

Narrowing of arteries caused by plaques of cholesterol and other substances.

What is the function of precapillary sphincters?

Control the flow of blood through capillary beds.

How does angiotensin II affect blood pressure?

It causes vasoconstriction, increasing blood pressure.

What role does ADH play in blood pressure regulation?

It causes vasoconstriction and increases blood volume, thus elevating blood pressure.

What condition is characterized by a heart attack?

Myocardial infarction.