Lecture 7

Flashcards on the Lymphatic System and Blood Pressure

Lymphatic System

System of small organs (lymph nodes) and tubes (lymphatic vessels) through which lymph flows.

Lymph Nodes

Small organs that play a role in defense and are part of the immune response; lymph passes through these.

Lymphatic Vessels

Tubes through which lymph flows; they contain one-way valves to ensure lymph flows in one direction.

Lymph

Fluid inside the lymphatic system, originally from interstitial fluid.

Lymphatic Capillaries

Have large water-filled channels and are permeable to all interstitial fluid components, including proteins, and are closed-ended.

Compliance

Ability of a vessel to distend and increase volume with increasing transmural pressure.

Systolic Pressure

Maximum arterial pressure reached during peak ventricular ejection.

Diastolic Pressure

Minimum arterial pressure reached just before ventricular ejection begins.

Pulse Pressure

Systolic pressure minus diastolic pressure.

Hypertension

Chronically increased arterial blood pressure.

Hypotension

Abnormally low arterial blood pressure.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

Pressure driving blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.

Total Peripheral Resistance (TPR)

Combined resistance to flow of all systemic blood vessels; primarily determined by arteriolar resistance.

Arterial Baroreceptors

Mechanoreceptors that detect changes in blood pressure; located in the carotid sinus and aortic arch.

Medullary Cardiovascular Center

Located in the medulla oblongata in the brainstem; receives input from baroreceptors and alters autonomic activity to regulate blood pressure.