Blood Vessel Anatomy and Systemic Circulation Flashcards

Flashcards for blood vessel anatomy and systemic circulation

Tunica Interna

The innermost layer of a blood vessel, composed of simple squamous epithelium; smooth to reduce friction and turbulence.

Basement Membrane (Blood Vessels)

Acellular layer connecting the tunica interna to the tunica media in blood vessels.

Tunica Media

Middle layer of a blood vessel, composed primarily of smooth muscle.

Tunica Externa

Outermost layer of a blood vessel, composed of dense irregular connective tissue.

Elastic Lamina

An elastic component within the tunica media of larger arteries, providing resilience against higher arterial pressure.

Vasa Vasorum

Blood vessels of the blood vessels; most prominent in the walls of the largest arteries.

Arterioles

The smallest arteries.

Venules

The smallest veins.

Pre-capillary Sphincters

Rings of smooth muscle located at the entrance to the capillaries to regulate blood flow.

Anastomosis

A system where multiple arteries merge, like the cerebral arterial circle.

Continuous Capillaries

Most common type of capillary, featuring intercellular clefts and found in the brain, muscle, and connective tissue.

Fenestrated Capillaries

Capillaries that have pores (fenestrations) allowing for rapid exchange; found in the choroid plexus, kidneys, and intestines.

Sinusoid (Discontinuous) Capillaries

Most leaky type of capillary with intercellular gaps and an incomplete basement membrane; allows for whole RBCs to leave capillaries and is found in bone marrow, spleen, and liver.

Systemic Circulation

The purpose of the systemic circulation is to deliver oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues as well as remove waste and take deoxygenated blood back to the heart and then the lungs.