The Circulatory System Flashcards
(182 cards)
What are the main functions (3) of the circulatory system?
Transport, homeostasis, and protection
How does the circulatory system maintain homeostasis?
Blood vessels dialate or restrict to dissipate heat or reduce heat loss
What are the types of blood vessels (3)?
Veins, capillaries, and arteries
How long is the total distance of of all vessels?
96000km
What is the function of an artery?
Carries blood (usually nutrient rich) away from the heart
What color are arteries?
Red
What is the difference between an artery and a vein (function)?
An artery carries blood away from the heart while a vein carries blood towards the heart
Why do arteries have to have thick muscular layers?
They must be able to withstand the pressure applied onto them due to the contracting and relaxing of the heart
When measuring blood pressure, what is actually being measured?
The pressure exerted on the arteries by the heart
Tunica Externa of arteries/veins
Outer, protective layer of tough connective tissue
Tunica Media of arteries/veins
Muscle and elastic tissue layers, thick in arteries and thin in veins
Tunica Intima of arteries/veins
Smooth endothelium forming the lining of the lumen
Which part of an artery/vein is actually in contact with blood?
The intima
Why does the lining of the lumen (endothelium) have to be smooth?
It’s where blood flows through
Systolic pressure definition
Maxium pressure applied during ventricular contraction
Synonym for ventricular contraction
heart contracting
Synonym for ventricular relaxation
heart relaxing
Diastolic pressure definition
minimum pressure during ventricular relaxation
How is systolic pressure measured by a sphygmomanometer?
When it first picks up on any pressure
How is diastolic pressure measured by a sphygmomanometer?
When the machine no longer picks up on any pressure
How does a blood pressure cuff work?
By initially cutting off circulation, then detecting when it first picks up pressure and when it loses any sense of pressure
What is the average blood pressure of an adult?
120/80
What unit is blood pressure measured in?
mm/Hg (millimeteres of mercury)
What is the general path that blood flows after it leaves the heart (which order of vessels)?
Heart, aorta, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins, vena cava