Vascular System Review Notes

Vessel Transitions and Cell Types

  • Vessel transitions: Elastic to other types.
  • Lungs: Pneumocyte type II cells.
  • Digestive System: Columnar epithelium.
  • Capillaries: Specific cell type facilitates exchange.

Capillaries

  • Exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients occurs in capillaries.
  • Fenestrated Capillaries: Larger pores allow more substances to pass through; found in specific systems.
  • Capillary Function: Create a permeability barrier, allowing water, glucose, and electrolytes to pass while restricting others.
  • Urine Samples: Absence of certain substances indicates proper capillary function.

Layers of Blood Vessels

  • Tunics (Coats): Different layers of the blood vessel wall.
  • Nerve Communication: Nerves communicate with the stomach via a specific tunic layer (likely the tunica adventitia for autonomic control).

Arteries vs. Veins

  • Artery Characteristics: Differ from veins in structure and function.
  • Vein Characteristics: Differ from arteries in structure and function.
  • Valves: Found in the vascular system in specific locations (typically veins).

Capillary vs. Vein/Artery

  • Capillary Difference: Structure and function differ from both arteries and veins.

Blood Vessel Blood Supply

  • Blood Vessels: Receive oxygen and nutrients, and remove carbon dioxide through their own blood supply (vasa vasorum).

Vascular Pathologies

  • Atherosclerosis: A disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of plaques of fatty material on their inner walls.
  • Arteriosclerosis: The thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.

Pulmonary vs. Systemic Circuit

  • Pulmonary Circuit: Involves blood vessels in the lungs.
  • Systemic Circuit: Involves blood vessels throughout the rest of the body.

Circulations

  • Cardiac Circulation: Blood supply to the heart.
  • Pulmonary Circulation: Blood flow between the heart and lungs.
  • Systemic Circulation: Blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body.

Aorta Branches

  • Aorta Arch Branches: Specific names and order (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, left subclavian).
  • Brachiocephalic Trunk Clot: Affects specific areas of the body.
  • Left Common Carotid Clot: Affects tissues supplied by this vessel.

Circle of Willis

  • Circle of Willis: Vertebral, basilar, posterior cerebral, posterior communicating, internal carotids, anterior cerebral, anterior communicating.

Diaphragm

  • Diaphragm Supply: C3, C4, C5 keep the phrenic nerve alive.
  • Phrenic Nerve: Cervical branches (C3-C5) supply the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm.
  • Diaphragm Blood Supply: Specific blood vessels supply the diaphragm.

Abdominal Aorta

  • Stomach and Liver: Blood is sent to the stomach and liver via the celiac trunk (gastric, splenic, and common hepatic arteries).
  • Level L5 of Abdominal Aorta: Before becoming internal iliac arteries.

Venus Return

  • Blood Return: Blood returns to the heart via specific vessels.

Blood Draw Sites

  • Vein Selection: Basilic, cephalic, and median cubital veins are options; specific considerations for each.
  • Saphenous Vein: Longest vein in the body, used for bypass procedures.

Blood Velocity

  • Velocity Location: Greatest velocity within a vessel is in the middle.

Blood Pressure

  • Normal Blood Pressure: Standard range for a normal adult.
  • Low Pressure: Below normal blood pressure reading.
  • High Pressure: Above normal blood pressure reading.

Resistance Factors

  • Resistance Factors: Length, diameter, viscosity all affect resistance.

Bernoulli's Law

  • Bernoulli's Law: States principles related to fluid dynamics.

Viscosity Factors

  • Viscosity Factors: Factors influence blood viscosity.

Pressure Drop

  • Pressure Consequences: Effects on blood vessels if pressure drops too low.

Exam Details

  • Exam Format: 75 multiple-choice questions.