Vascular system overview

Question 1

What are the 3 main functions of the cardiovascular system?

Answer 1

Transportation (deliver nutrients, remove waste)
Homeostasis (regulate temp, balance pH with bicarbonate ions, maintain isotonic environment)
Protection (immune cells, platelets cause clotting)

Question 2

What are the 4 main components of the CVS?

Answer 2

Heart
Arterial system
Venous system
Lymphatics

Question 3

What are the 4 compartments of the thorax?

Answer 3

Superior Mediastinum
Anterior Mediastinum
Middle Mediastinum
Posterior Mediastinum

Question 4

What does the superior Mediastinum consist of?

Answer 4

Arch of aorta and branches
Oesophagus
Trachea
Superior vena cava and tributaries
Thymus gland

Question 5

What are the boundaries of the superior mediastinum?

Answer 5

Bottom- Angle of louis/ sternal angle between T4 and T5

Question 6

What does the anterior mediastinum consist of?

Answer 6

Internal thoracic vessels

Fat

Question 7

What are the boundaries of the anterior mediastinum?

Answer 7

Ribs, pericardium, diaphragm, sternal angle

Question 8

What does the middle mediastinum consist of?

Answer 8

Heart, pericardium, origins of great vessels

Question 9

What are the boundaries of the middle mediastinum?

Answer 9

Pericardium/ sac

Question 10

What does the posterior mediastinum consist of?

Answer 10

Oesophagus
Thoracic descending aorta
Azygos venous system

Question 11

What are the boundaries of the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 11

Same as anterior but vertebrae instead of ribs

Question 12

Describe the structure of the heart

Answer 12

4 chambered muscular organ- two atria, two ventricles
Central pumping system for CVS
-Systemic (left)
-Pulmonary (right)

Question 13

What is the difference between diastole and systole?

Answer 13

Diastole= passive filling of chambers
Systole= contraction of chambers

Question 14

Describe the difference between artery and vein structures

Answer 14

Arterial system- low volume/capacity, high pressure, low compliance walls, resist deformation
Venous system- high volume/capacity, low pressure, walls have increased compliance, stretchy

Question 15

Describe the blood distribution of the body

Answer 15

Peripheral veins- 65%
Heart and lungs- 20%
Peripheral arteries- 10%
Capillaries- 5%

Question 16

What are the 4 different types of vessels?

Answer 16

Conduction/ Distribution
Resistance
Exchange
Capacitance

Question 17

Describe conduction/ distribution vessels

Answer 17

Large arteries leaving heart
Branch to form arterial tree
Elastic

Question 18

Describe resistance vessels

Answer 18

Smaller arteries and arterioles
Muscle layer responds to signals
Allows control of blood flow/ pressure

Question 19

Describe exchange vessels

Answer 19

Capillaries and small venules
Allow exchange between blood and interstitial fluid
Delivery of nutrients, removal of waste

Question 20

Describe capacitance vessels

Answer 20

Venules, veins, vena cava
Low pressure collectors of blood
Convey blood to the heart
Contain valves to prevent reflux

Question 21

Describe capillary beds

Answer 21

Site of exchange with interstitial fluid/ tissues
Supplied by metarteriole- network of tiny true capillaries branch from this
Blood recollected in thoroughfare channels
Feeds into venous system, returns to heart

Question 22

What are the three layers of a blood vessel?

Answer 22

Tunica intima (epithelial layer)
Tunica media (muscular layer)
Tunica adventitia (supporting layer)

Question 23

Describe the Tunica intima

Answer 23

Lines the entire vascular system
Flattened epithelial cells
Supported by connective tissue, basement membrane and collagen

Question 24

Describe the Tunica media

Answer 24

Smooth muscle
Thickness highly variable depending on vessel type
Absent in blood capillaries

Question 25

Describe the Tunica adventitia

Answer 25

Connective tissues- elastin and collagen | Carries small blood vessels which supply vessel walls