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Anatomy & Physiology: Cardio, Vasculature, and Respiratory System

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Termini in questo insieme (21)

  • What are the two main circuits of the heart and their functions?

    Pulmonary circuit: Right side receives O2 poor blood from the body and pumps it to the lungs.
    Systemic circuit: Left side receives O2 rich blood from lungs and pumps it throughout the body.

  • What are the three layers of the heart wall?

    Epicardium: visceral layer of serous pericardium. Myocardium: cardiac muscle arranged in circular and spiral patterns.

    Endocardium: endothelium resting on connective tissue lining internal heart walls.

  • What is the structure and function of intercalated discs in cardiac muscle?

    Intercalated discs join adjacent cardiac muscle cells; contain fasciae adherens and gap junctions that allow electrical impulses to spread for synchronized contraction.

  • How do atrioventricular (AV) valves operate during the cardiac cycle?

    AV valves open when atrial pressure > ventricular pressure, allowing blood flow into ventricles.
    They close when ventricular pressure > atrial pressure, preventing backflow (LUB sound).

  • What is the role of the cardiac skeleton?

    Dense connective tissue surrounding valves; anchors valve cusps, prevents valve dilation, serves as insertion for cardiac muscle, and blocks direct electrical impulse spread between atria and ventricles.

  • Describe the pathway of electrical conduction in the heart.

    Impulse starts at SA node → spreads to atria and AV node → pauses at AV node → travels via Bundle of His → divides into left and right bundle branches → Purkinje fibers spread impulse to ventricles.

  • What are the three types of arteries and their characteristics?

    Elastic arteries: largest, near heart, high elastin content. Muscular arteries: medium-sized, thick tunica media, active in vasoconstriction.

    Arterioles: smallest, regulate blood flow into capillaries.

  • What are the three tunics of blood vessel walls?

    Tunica intima: innermost, endothelium.

    Tunica media: smooth muscle and elastin.

    Tunica externa: connective tissue outer layer.

  • What are the three types of capillaries and their permeability?

    Continuous: least permeable, tight junctions.

    Fenestrated: pores, more permeable.

    Sinusoids: large gaps, highly permeable, found in liver, bone marrow, spleen.

  • What is the function of pulmonary surfactant produced by alveolar type II cells?

    Reduces surface tension in alveoli to prevent collapse during exhalation, essential for newborn breathing.

  • What are the main functions of the respiratory system?

    Pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, transport of respiratory gases, and internal respiration.

  • What is the structure and function of the pleura surrounding the lungs?

    Double-layered sac:

    parietal pleura lines thoracic cavity;

    visceral pleura covers lungs; pleural cavity contains lubricating fluid to reduce friction during breathing.

  • What muscles are involved in quiet and forced inhalation?

    Quiet inhalation: diaphragm and external intercostals.
    Forced inhalation: sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, pectoralis minor, serratus posterior superior, erector spinae.

  • What is the role of the trachealis muscle?

    Located posteriorly in trachea; contracts to decrease tracheal diameter during coughing and sneezing to expel air forcefully.

  • How does the blood flow through the pulmonary circuit?

    Right ventricle pumps O2 poor blood into pulmonary trunk → pulmonary arteries → lungs for gas exchange → pulmonary veins carry O2 rich blood to left atrium.

  • What is the significance of the fossa ovalis in the right atrium?

    Remnant of fetal foramen ovale; allowed blood to bypass lungs in fetus; closes after birth.

  • What are the main branches of the aortic arch?

    Brachiocephalic trunk (right common carotid and right subclavian), left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.

  • What is the function of precapillary sphincters?

    Regulate blood flow into capillary beds by contracting or relaxing to control tissue perfusion.

  • What are the main veins that return blood to the right atrium?

    Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.

  • What is the hepatic portal system?

    Venous blood from digestive organs passes through liver capillaries before returning to systemic circulation, allowing nutrient processing and detoxification.

  • What is the role of the circle of Willis?

    Provides collateral blood flow to the brain by connecting anterior and posterior cerebral circulations, ensuring brain perfusion if one artery is blocked.