Lab 5 blood vessels

BIO 2404 LAB #5 BLOOD VESSELS

Dr. Harini Anandhi Senthilkumar
Spring 2025

BLOOD VESSELS – AN INTRODUCTION

  • Function:

    • Blood vessels transport blood throughout the body.

    • They provide the physical site where gases, nutrients, and other substances are exchanged with body cells.

  • Artery:

    • Definition: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

    • They branch into smaller vessels known as arterioles.

  • Arterioles:

    • These vessels further branch into tiny capillaries.

    • Capillaries are the sites where nutrients and wastes are exchanged.

STRUCTURAL FEATURES

  • Structural Differences Between Arteries and Veins:

    • Artery:

    • Tunica Externa (Adventitia)

      • Definition and function: This is the outer layer, which provides protection and strength to the vessel.

      • Composed mainly of connective tissue.

    • Tunica Media:

      • Definition: The middle layer that controls the diameter of the vessel.

      • Composed primarily of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, allowing arteries to withstand pressure and maintain their shape.

    • Tunica Interna (Intima):

      • Definition: The innermost layer that lines the lumen of the blood vessel.

      • Composed of a single layer of endothelial cells.

    • Vein:

    • Tunica Externa (Adventitia):

      • Similar to arteries, providing strength and support.

    • Tunica Media:

      • Thinner than in arteries, containing fewer smooth muscle cells.

    • Tunica Interna (Intima):

      • Composed of a smooth endothelial layer but lacks an internal elastic membrane.

COMPARISON OF TUNICS IN ARTERIES AND VEINS

  • General Appearance:

    • Arteries:

    • Thick walls with small lumens; generally rounded appearance.

    • Wavy appearance of endothelium due to smooth muscle constriction.

    • Internal elastic membrane present in larger vessels.

    • Tunica media is normally the thickest layer, comprising predominately smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers.

    • External elastic membrane also present in larger vessels, typically thinner than the tunica media in all but the largest arteries.

    • Contains nervi vasorum and vasa vasorum.

    • Veins:

    • Thin walls with large lumens; generally appear flattened.

    • Smooth appearance of endothelium, lacking an internal elastic membrane.

    • Tunica media is typically thinner than the tunica externa.

    • Predominantly smooth muscle and collagenous fibers.

    • External elastic membrane absent.

    • Tunica externa is typically the thickest layer.

    • Have valves that keep bloods flowing in one direction

MAJOR ARTERIES AND PULSE POINTS

  • List of Major Arteries:

    • Superficial temporal artery

    • Facial artery

    • Common carotid artery

    • Brachial artery

    • Radial artery

    • Femoral artery

    • Popliteal artery

    • Posterior tibial artery

    • Dorsalis pedis artery

ACTIVITY 1: ANATOMICAL IDENTIFICATION

  • Identify structure associated with blood vessels:

    1. Vein

    2. Artery

    3. Tunica interna of artery

    4. Tunica media of artery

    5. Tunica externa of artery

    6. Valve

    7. Tunica interna of vein

    8. Tunica media of vein

    9. Tunica externa of vein

    10. Lumen of vein

ACTIVITY 2: PALPATING PULSE

  • Steps to Measure Pulse:

    1. Identify the radial artery in your non-dominant arm.

    2. Use your index and forefinger to palpate the pulse, ensuring you are relaxed with legs uncrossed.

    3. Count your pulse for 15 seconds. Multiply the result by 4 to determine your resting heart rate.

    4. Perform jumping jacks or run up the stairs, and record your pulse immediately afterward.

    5. Fill in Table 18.6 with the recorded data, using Table 18.5 to determine the pulse grade.

ACTIVITY 3: DISSECTION – SHEEP HEART

  • Dissection Instructions:

    • Make a frontal section of the heart specimen by making a clean cut through the base of the heart to the apex, including both atria (top portions).

    • Take a picture of your dissection.

    • Using the provided reference, label the dissected image and email it to the instructor at hanandhi@kean.edu.

    • Subject Line: "NameLab 5Sheep heart dissection"

HOMEWORK

  • Pre-Lab Assignment 18A: Blood Vessel Anatomy

    • Define the following terms associated with blood vessels:

    1. Artery: (Definition required)

    2. Capillary: (Definition required)

    3. Tunica Externa (Adventitia): (Definition required)

    4. Tunica Interna (Intima): (Definition required)

    5. Tunica Media: (Definition required)

    6. Vein: (Definition required)

ADDITIONAL HOMEWORK

  • Figure Assignments:

    • Label the major arteries and veins of the human body using resources from the lab manual and textbook.

    • Reference Figure 17.10 for the answer key provided in the subsequent slide.

LABELING IMPORTANT STRUCTURES

  • Structure list from Section:

    1. Superior vena cava

    2. Aortic arch

    3. Pulmonary trunk

    4. Aortic valve

    5. Left auricle

    6. Pulmonary valve

    7. Bicuspid (mitral) valve

    8. Tricuspid valve

    9. Chordae tendineae

    10. Papillary muscle

    11. Interventricular septum

    12. Trabeculae carneae

    13. Right ventricle myocardium

    14. Apex