Blood Vessels And Atherosclerosis Flashcards
(11 cards)
What type of tissue lines the inside of blood vessels?
Endothelial tissue
Endothelial tissue is a single layer of flat, long cells that provide a smooth surface for blood flow.
What are the main components of blood vessels?
- Endothelium
- Connective tissue
- Elastic tissue
- Smooth muscle
Arteries and veins have the same tissues but in different proportions.
What is the purpose of the thicker outer layer in veins?
To prevent collapse of the blood vessel
The outer layer in veins is thicker compared to arteries.
What is atherosclerosis?
A disease process that leads to inflammation and cardiovascular diseases
Atherosclerosis can result in coronary disease and strokes.
What are the components that accumulate in the artery wall during atherosclerosis?
- LDL cholesterol
- White blood cells
- Calcium salts
- Fibres
These components lead to plaque formation (atheroma).
What can fatty deposits (atheroma) do in the arteries?
- Block an artery directly
- Increase the chance of being blocked by a blood clot
This can lead to increased risk of thrombosis.
How does smoking contribute to atherosclerosis?
- Increases blood thickness
- Causes fatty deposits to build up
- Increases blood pressure and heart rate
- Damages the endothelium
Cigarette smoke contains many toxic chemicals that contribute to these effects.
What happens to blood flow as a result of atherosclerosis?
Narrowing of artery and loss of elasticity restricts blood flow
This can lead to serious health issues including heart attacks and strokes.
Fill in the blank: Atherosclerosis can lead to _______.
Cardiovascular diseases
True or False: Capillaries have multiple layers of tissue.
False
Capillaries only have an endothelium.
What is the role of myofibrils in muscle tissue?
They are made up of actin and myosin filaments
Myofibrils are essential for muscle contraction.
