The Vascular System Flashcards
(162 cards)
What is the main job of the vascular system
To exchange materials between the blood and tissues, takes place in the capillaries. The arteries and veins are just as important by transporting blood between the capillaries and the heart
What does the vascular system consist of
Arteries, capillaries, and veins through which the heart pumps blood through the body
What is blood pressure
The force the blood exerts against the walls of the vessels
What do arteries do
Carry blood from the heart to the capillaries
What are small arteries called
Arterioles
What are the three layers or tunics of tissues in an artery
Tunica intima
Tunica media
Tunica externa
What is the innermost layer of the artery
Tunica intima
Which layer of the artery is the only part that is in contact with blood
Tunica intima
What is the Tunica intima made of
Simple Squamus epithelium also called endothelium
What is the function of the endothelium in the Tunica intima
It has extreme smoothness and normal chemical composition which prevent abnormal blood clotting by preventing the adhesions of platelets
What chemicals does the endothelium produce which affect blood pressure
Nitric oxide (NO)which is a vasodilator, it stimulates relaxation of smooth muscle of the middle layer of the vessel
The peptide endothelin stimulates contraction of the smooth muscle and is therefore a vasoconstrictor
What is the middle layer of the artery
Tunica media
What is the Tunica media made of
Smooth muscle and elastic connective tissue
The smooth muscle and elastic connective tissue in the Tunica media are involved in the maintenance of what
Blood pressure, especially diastolic blood pressure when the heart is relaxed
Smooth muscle also has a nerve supply what can happen if impulses are increased or decreased
Increased sympathetic nerve impulses bring about vasoconstriction, and a decrease in impulses contributes to vasodilation
What is the outer layer of the artery
Tunica externa
Which layer of the artery is very strong and why is this important
Tunica externa. it is important because it prevents the rupture or bursting of the large arteries which carry blood under high-pressure
What enables the arteries to construct or dilate
The smooth muscle layer
Such changes in diameter of the arteries when they constrict or dilate is regulated by what three things
Endothelium, Medulla, and autonomic nervous system
What is the function of the veins
The carry blood from the capillaries back to the heart
What difference does the inner layer of a vein have compared to the inner layer of the artery
They both have smooth the endothelium but in intervals the lining of the veins will fold to form valves
What do the valves preevent in the veins
Backflow of blood— (and they are most numerous in veins of the legs where blood must often return to the heart against the force of gravity)
The middle layer of veins is thin. It is thin why
Because veins do not regulate blood pressure and blood flow into capillaries as arteries do
Veins can constrict extensively. Why is this important
It is useful in case of severe hemorrhage