Overview of Blood Vessel Structure

Question 1

components of the cardiovascular system

Answer 1

• blood
• heart
• blood vessels
• systemic circulation: vertical portion, blood is going to systems of the body
• pulmonary circulation: lung, horizontal portion
• arteries always care blood away
• arterioles: smaller arteries
• capillaries:
• veins: return blood to the heart, usually deoxygenated blood

Question 2

anastomosis

Answer 2

convergence of two or more vessels

Question 3

companion vessels

Answer 3

arteries and veins that lie next to each other

Question 4

tunics

Answer 4

blood vessel walls

Question 5

tunica intima - deepest

Answer 5

• endothelium: simple squamous epithelium and connective tissue
• capillary walls contain only tunica intima

Question 6

tunica media - intermediate

Answer 6

• circularly arranged smooth muscle
• smooth muscle contraction -> vasoconstriction (vessel constriction)

Question 7

tunica externa - superficial

Answer 7

• outer connective tissue
• anchors blood vessel to surroundings

Question 8

arteries vs. veins

Answer 8

• arteries: thicker wall
• veins = larger lumen/opening
• BP = higher in arteries
• veins have valves, arteries do not