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Anatomy & Physiology: Blood Vessels, Lymphatic System, and Respiratory System

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Terms in this set (40)

  • Three layers (tunics) of a blood vessel wall

    Tunica intima (inner), tunica media (middle, smooth muscle), and tunica externa (outer connective tissue). Arteries have thicker tunica media; veins have valves and thinner walls.

  • Differences between elastic artery and muscular artery

    Elastic arteries have more elastic fibers for stretch and recoil; muscular arteries have more smooth muscle for vasoconstriction and vasodilation.

  • Functions of arterioles and venules

    Arterioles regulate blood flow into capillaries via vasoconstriction/dilation; venules collect blood from capillaries and begin return to heart.

  • Differences in blood flow and chemical composition in systemic arteries vs veins

    Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart; veins carry oxygen-poor blood back. Flow in arteries is pulsatile and under higher pressure; veins have valves to prevent backflow.

  • General structure of a capillary

    Single layer of endothelial cells with a basement membrane; allows exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes between blood and tissues.

  • Types of capillaries and their locations

    Continuous capillaries: most tissues; fenestrated capillaries: kidneys, intestines; sinusoids: liver, bone marrow, spleen.

  • Function of metarterioles and true capillaries

    Metarterioles act as thoroughfare channels; true capillaries branch from metarterioles and regulate blood flow into capillary beds.

  • What is an aneurysm and why is it dangerous?

    An aneurysm is a weakened, bulging artery wall that can rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding.

  • Difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis

    Arteriosclerosis is general hardening of arteries; atherosclerosis is plaque buildup narrowing arteries, increasing blood pressure and risk of clots.

  • How does plaque lead to thrombus and embolism?

    Plaque rupture exposes collagen, triggering clot formation (thrombus); if dislodged, it becomes an embolism that can block vessels.

  • Relationship between cardiac output, pressure gradient, and peripheral resistance

    Blood flow = cardiac output; pressure gradient drives flow; peripheral resistance opposes flow. Changes in cardiac output affect pressure gradient.

  • Formula relating blood flow (F), pressure (P), and resistance (R)

    Blood flow is proportional to pressure gradient and inversely proportional to resistance: \(F=\frac{P}{R}\)

  • Three factors causing resistance to blood flow

    Blood viscosity, vessel length, and vessel radius. Vessel radius can change quickly via vasoconstriction/dilation.

  • Why is blood flow slowest in capillaries?

    Capillaries have the greatest total cross-sectional area, slowing flow to allow exchange of substances.

  • Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure

    Systolic BP is pressure during heart contraction; diastolic BP is pressure during relaxation.

  • Mean arterial pressure (MAP) calculation

    MAP = diastolic pressure + 1/3 (systolic - diastolic). It represents average arterial pressure during a cardiac cycle.

  • Role of baroreceptors in blood pressure control

    Baroreceptors detect blood pressure changes and send signals to the brain to adjust heart rate and vessel diameter.

  • How does the autonomic nervous system regulate vessel resistance?

    ANS controls vasoconstriction and vasodilation via sympathetic and parasympathetic signals affecting smooth muscle in vessel walls.

  • Kidneys' role in blood pressure regulation

    Kidneys regulate blood volume by controlling water and salt excretion, affecting blood pressure long-term.

  • Function of renin in blood pressure regulation

    Renin initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, increasing blood pressure by vasoconstriction and sodium retention.

  • Two major functions of the lymphatic system

    Return interstitial fluid to blood and provide immune defense by filtering lymph and housing lymphocytes.

  • Structure and function of lymphatic capillaries

    Blind-ended vessels with thin walls that absorb interstitial fluid and transport it as lymph.

  • Specialized lymphatic capillaries absorbing dietary fats

    Lacteals in intestinal villi absorb fats as chyle, transporting them to the bloodstream.

  • Primary vs secondary lymphatic tissues

    Primary: bone marrow and thymus (lymphocyte production/maturation); secondary: lymph nodes, spleen (immune response sites).

  • Seven non-specific defenses of the body

    Physical barriers, phagocytes, immunological surveillance, interferons, complement system, inflammation, fever.

  • Difference between innate and acquired immunity

    Innate immunity is non-specific and immediate; acquired immunity is specific and develops after exposure.

  • Cell-mediated vs antibody-mediated immune response

    Cell-mediated involves T cells attacking infected cells; antibody-mediated involves B cells producing antibodies against antigens.

  • Role of MHC antigens

    MHC molecules present antigens to T cells; Class I on all nucleated cells, Class II on antigen-presenting cells.

  • Primary vs secondary immune response

    Primary response is slower and weaker; secondary response is faster and stronger due to memory cells.

  • Causes and effects of hypersensitivity

    Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated immune response causing tissue damage; anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening form.

  • Difference between autoimmune disease and hypersensitivity

    Autoimmune disease targets self-antigens; hypersensitivity is an excessive response to non-self antigens.

  • Why is aerobic respiration necessary for cells?

    Aerobic respiration produces ATP efficiently using oxygen, essential for cell survival and function.

  • Four processes of respiration

    Pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, gas transport, internal respiration; each occurs at different sites for gas exchange.

  • Structure and function of the pleural membrane

    Double-layered membrane surrounding lungs; reduces friction and creates pressure gradient for lung expansion.

  • Boyle's law in pulmonary ventilation

    Pressure and volume are inversely related; lung volume changes cause pressure gradients driving air flow.

  • Primary muscles of inspiration

    Diaphragm and external intercostals increase thoracic volume to draw air in.

  • How oxygen is transported in blood

    Mostly bound to hemoglobin in red blood cells; a small amount dissolved in plasma.

  • How carbon dioxide is transported in blood

    As bicarbonate ions, bound to hemoglobin, and dissolved in plasma; enzyme carbonic anhydrase facilitates conversion.

  • Brain centers controlling respiration rate

    Respiratory rhythmicity center (medulla), apneustic and pneumotaxic centers (pons) regulate breathing patterns.

  • Effect of pCO2 and pH on respiratory rate

    Increased pCO2 or decreased pH stimulate chemoreceptors to increase respiratory rate to expel CO2.