Chapter 15 Blood Flow and the Control of Blood Pressure

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to blood flow and blood pressure regulation in human physiology.

Blood Vessels

Tubular structures that carry blood throughout the body; composed of smooth muscle, elastic, and fibrous connective tissue.

Endothelium

The inner layer of blood vessels that secretes paracrine factors and regulates blood pressure and vessel growth.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels resulting from contraction of muscular walls, leading to increased blood pressure.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of muscular walls, leading to decreased blood pressure.

Arterioles

Small blood vessels that branch from arteries and are the primary site of variable resistance in the blood flow.

Capillaries

The smallest blood vessels where the exchange of substances occurs between blood and interstitial fluid.

Angiogenesis

The development of new blood vessels from existing ones, crucial for growth and healing.

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, varies in different parts of the circulatory system.

Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)

The average arterial pressure during a single cardiac cycle, important for determining blood flow.

Sphygmomanometry

The method of measuring blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer.

Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance through the action of renin and angiotensin.

Vascular Resistance

The opposition to blood flow in the vessels, affected by vessel diameter, length, and blood viscosity.

Hypertension

Persistently high blood pressure that can lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Hypotension

Lower than normal blood pressure, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness or fainting.

Filtration and Absorption

The processes of fluid movement out of capillaries (filtration) and into capillaries (absorption) driven by hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.

Lymphatic System

A network that returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream, filters pathogens, and aids in fat absorption.

Atherosclerosis

An inflammatory condition characterized by the buildup of plaques within arterial walls, leading to cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac Output

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute, calculated as heart rate multiplied by stroke volume.

Peripheral Resistance

The resistance to blood flow offered by the blood vessels themselves, impacting overall blood pressure.

Osmotic Pressure

The pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane; crucial in capillary exchange.