Blood Vessels and Circulation

This set of flashcards covers key concepts, definitions, and important details from the lectures on blood vessels, circulation, and infection control.

What is the main function of blood vessels in the body?

To carry blood from the heart to all tissues and back to the heart.

What do blood vessels exchange with tissues?

Nutrients, waste products, and gases.

What substances are transported by blood?

Hormones, immune system components, coagulation molecules, enzymes, nutrients, gases, and waste products.

How does the circulatory system help regulate blood pressure?

It works together with the heart to maintain blood pressure within a normal range.

What is the highest normal blood pressure reading?

120/80 mmHg.

What are arteries responsible for?

Carrying blood away from the heart.

What type of blood do arteries usually carry?

Oxygenated (oxygen-rich) blood.

How do the walls of arteries change as they become smaller?

They transition from having more elastic tissue to having more smooth muscle than elastic tissue.

What are elastic arteries?

The largest diameter arteries with the thickest walls, consisting mostly of elastic tissue.

Give an example of an elastic artery.

The aorta.

What are muscular arteries characterized by?

Medium-sized and small arteries with thicker walls composed mostly of smooth muscle cells.

Define vasoconstriction.

Contraction of smooth muscle in blood vessels, decreasing diameter and blood flow.

Define vasodilation.

Relaxation of smooth muscle in blood vessels, increasing diameter and blood flow.

What are arterioles?

Small arteries that transport blood to capillaries with identifiable tunics.

What is the function of capillaries?

Where the exchange of O2, CO2, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and tissue fluid.

What is the pathway of blood through veins?

Blood flows from capillaries to veins and towards the heart.

What type of blood do veins usually carry?

Deoxygenated (oxygen-poor) blood.

How do veins compare to arteries in terms of wall structure?

Veins have thinner walls, less elastic tissue, and fewer smooth muscle cells compared to arteries.

What are venules?

Small vessels slightly larger than capillaries, composed of endothelium and connective tissue.

Define pulmonary circulation.

The system of blood vessels that carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and back to the left atrium.

Define systemic circulation.

The system of blood vessels that carries blood from the left ventricle to the tissues and back to the right atrium.

What are the branches of the aortic arch?

Brachiocephalic artery, left common carotid artery, left subclavian artery.

What is an arterial aneurysm?

Localized dilation of an artery due to trauma or congenital weakness.

What happens if a large aneurysm ruptures?

It is almost always fatal if in the aorta, and can cause massive brain damage if in a brain artery.

What is the brachiocephalic artery?

The first vessel to branch from the aortic arch, located only on the right side of the body.

What does the right common carotid artery supply?

Blood to the right side of the head and neck.

What is the role of the internal carotid arteries?

Contain the carotid sinus, which monitors blood pressure.

What do the external carotid arteries supply?

Blood to the structures of the neck, face, nose, and mouth.

Where does the basilar artery supply blood?

To the pons, cerebellum, and midbrain.

What is the major function of the renal artery?

To supply blood to the kidneys.

What is the longest vein in the body?

The great saphenous vein.

What is the purpose of the hepatic portal system?

To drain blood from the capillaries of the abdominal viscera to the liver.

What do standard precautions include?

Proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and cleaning surfaces.

What types of diseases can be acquired in a hospital environment?

Nosocomial diseases.

What is the purpose of vaccination?

To prevent infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.

What are asymptomatic carriers?

People who are infected and can spread the pathogen without showing symptoms.

What is the effect of climate on disease transmission?

Seasonal changes impact the presence of vectors and disease occurrence.

What is the primary method for preventing infection spread in healthcare?

Hand washing.

What is the purpose of personal protective equipment?

To protect healthcare workers from exposure to infectious agents.

What is medical asepsis?

Clean technique to reduce the transmission of pathogens.

What is surgical asepsis?

Sterile technique to prevent contamination of sterile areas.

What should you do immediately after a needle stick injury?

Flood the area with water, clean it, and report the incident.

What are the types of safety hazards in healthcare?

Biological, physical, sharps, chemical, electrical, fire or explosive, latex sensitivity, radioactive agents, and x-ray equipment.