LEV Flashcards
(78 cards)
What are veins?
Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart
They hold most of the blood in the body; 75% of the body’s blood is in the veins.
What type of blood do veins carry?
Oxygen-poor blood, except pulmonary veins which carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs back to the heart.
What are venules?
Very small vessels that connect capillaries with your veins
They are wider than capillaries but narrower than veins, and 16 times smaller than veins.
What do veins do?
Collect oxygen-poor blood and return it to the heart, and carry oxygen-rich blood from lungs to heart.
What is the venous system?
A network of veins and the ways your veins connect to other vessels and organs throughout the body.
What are the two main circuits of the venous system?
- Systemic
- Pulmonary
What happens during the systemic circuit?
Fresh oxygenated blood leaves the heart, enters arteries, branches into arterioles and capillaries, feeds tissues with oxygen, picks up waste, then returns through venules and veins.
How does blood refuel in the pulmonary circuit?
Blood moves into the lungs, refuels with oxygen, and returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.
What color are veins and why?
Veins appear blue under the skin due to the way light is absorbed, but the blood is dark red due to lack of oxygen.
What are the three layers of veins?
- Tunica Adventitia (outer layer)
- Tunica Media (middle layer)
- Tunica Intima (inner layer)
What is the function of valves in veins?
To keep blood flowing in one direction.
What are deep veins?
Veins found in muscles and along bones that contain one-way valves and help move blood back to the heart.
What are superficial veins?
Smaller veins not surrounded by muscle, located under the skin, that carry blood from outer tissues to near the skin surface.
What are perforating veins?
Short veins that carry blood from superficial veins to deep veins and contain valves.
What is the ‘second heart’ in the context of veins?
The mechanism that helps blood flow in veins, particularly through muscle contractions.
What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)?
Blood clots that form in the deep veins, usually in the legs or pelvis.
What are varicose veins?
Swollen, bulging veins that can be harmless but may lead to blood clots.
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
A condition where one-way valves are damaged and can’t pump blood effectively.
What is the common treatment for DVT?
Blood thinners (anticoagulants) to prevent embolism.
What diagnostic test is commonly used for venous issues?
Ultrasound.
Fill in the blank: The tunica media contains _______.
smooth muscle cells.
True or False: Superficial veins carry blood more quickly than deep veins.
False.
What is the pressure in veins compared to arteries?
Much lower pressure than the arteries
What are the three layers of veins?
- Tunica Intima
- Tunica Media
- Tunica Externa