AI Powered (Vascular System Adaptations) Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are the three main components of the vascular system?
Arterial system, capillaries, venous system
What are the types of arteries in the arterial system?
- Elastic arteries
- Muscular arteries
- Arterioles
What do arterioles open into?
Capillaries
What are the components of the venous system?
- Post capillary venules
- Collecting venules
- Muscular venules
- Veins
What are the three layers of a blood vessel wall from outermost to innermost?
- Tunica adventitia
- Tunica media
- Tunica intima
What is the role of the tunica adventitia?
Layer of supporting tissue
What is the function of vasa vasorum?
Supply blood to the vessel wall when it is too thick for diffusion
What primarily makes up the tunica media?
Smooth muscles
How does the tunica media affect blood vessels?
Contraction or relaxation can constrict or dilate the blood vessel
What controls the diameter of the tunica media?
- Autonomous nervous system
- Circulating hormones like catecholamines
What is the composition of the tunica intima?
- Single layer of flattened endothelial cells
- Basement membrane
- Delicate collagenous tissue
What are the functions of endothelial cells in the tunica intima?
- Act as permeability barriers
- Secrete vasoactive substances
- Promote physiological thrombosis
- Inhibit pathological thrombosis
What is the nature of the arterial system?
High pressure system
What is the primary function of arteries?
Carry blood from the heart to capillary beds
How do elastic arteries maintain arterial blood pressure?
Expand during ventricular systole and recoil during diastole
What features characterize elastic arteries?
- Rich in elastin in tunica intima
- Concentric, fenestrated sheets of elastin in tunica media
What is the main feature of muscular arteries?
Tunica media contains concentrically arranged smooth muscle fibres
What is the role of arterioles in blood flow?
Control blood flow through capillary beds
What is the main function of capillaries?
Exchange of substances between blood and tissue interstitial fluid
What do capillaries lack compared to other blood vessels?
Tunica media and tunica adventitia
What structures facilitate substance exchange in capillaries?
Thin walls composed of endothelia and pericytes
What type of capillaries increase permeability for extensive molecular exchange?
Fenestrated capillaries
What is the nature of the venous system?
Low pressure system
What is the primary function of veins?
Carry blood from capillary beds to the heart
