Venous Return Flashcards
1
Q
Venous return
A
Return of blood to the heart during cardiac cycle
2
Q
2 problems that might delay or slowdown VR
A
Blood pressure in veins; very low
Most of the blood has been distributed lower than the heart and therefore has to fight agains gravity to make its way back to the heart
3
Q
Solutions to problems of cardiac cycle
A
Veins contain pocket valves Skeletal muscle pump Smooth muscle Gravity Respiratory pump
4
Q
Skeletal muscle pump
A
When muscles in the lower leg contract they squeeze the surrounding veins and force the blood back to the heart
5
Q
Smooth muscle
A
Veins are lined with smooth muscle that can veno constrict and force the blood back towards the heart
6
Q
Respiratory pump
A
As the diaphragm flattens and we inhale the pressure of thoracic cavity is increased and forces blood back to the heart
This happens more the higher our breathing rate is
