Exam 2b Flashcards
(114 cards)
What are the three primary types of blood vessels?
Arteries, Capillaries, Veins
Blood vessels are classified based on their function.
What is the function of arteries?
Transport blood away from the heart to the capillaries
What is the function of capillaries?
Exchange of substances between blood and tissues
What is the function of veins?
Drain blood from the capillaries and transport it back to the heart
What are tunics in blood vessels?
Layers that the vessel walls are composed of
What is the lumen of a blood vessel?
The inside space of the vessel that blood flows through
What are the three tunics of blood vessels?
Tunica intima, Tunica media, Tunica externa
What is the tunica intima?
The innermost layer of a blood vessel composed of endothelium and subendothelial layer
What role does the endothelium play in blood vessels?
Provides a smooth surface for blood flow and regulates smooth muscle contraction
What is the tunica media composed of?
Circularly arranged layers of smooth muscle cells supported by elastic fibers
What is vasoconstriction?
Narrowing of the blood vessel lumen due to contraction of smooth muscle
What is vasodilation?
Widening of the blood vessel lumen due to relaxation of smooth muscle
What is the tunica externa composed of?
Areolar connective tissue containing elastic and collagen fibers
What are companion vessels?
Arteries and veins that supply the same body region and tend to lie next to one another
How do arterial walls differ from venous walls?
Arterial walls can expand and recoil, are more resilient, and arteries remain patent
What are the three basic types of arteries?
Elastic arteries, Muscular arteries, Arterioles
What are elastic arteries?
The largest arteries with a large proportion of elastic fibers
What is the function of elastic arteries?
Conduct blood from the heart to smaller muscular arteries
What are muscular arteries?
Medium-sized arteries that distribute blood to specific body regions
What are arterioles?
The smallest arteries with fewer than six layers of smooth muscle in their tunica media
What is atherosclerosis?
A progressive disease characterized by the presence of an atheroma leading to thickening of the tunica intima
What is vasomotor tone?
The slightly contracted state of smooth muscle in arterioles
What are capillaries?
The smallest blood vessels connecting arterioles to venules
What are the types of capillaries?
Continuous capillary, Fenestrated capillary, Sinusoid