Cardiac Cells and Vessels Quiz

Characteristics of Cardiac Cells and Vessels

• The SA node myocytes have an irregular shape, large amounts of collagen and elastic fibers, and are smaller in diameter than regular cardiac muscle cells.
• Purkinje fibers are larger than cardiac muscle cells, have few myofibrils, no T-tubules, and are connected by desmosomes and gap junctions.
• Cardiomyocytes are elongated, cylindrical, striated muscle cells with intercalated discs, T-tubules, and a centrally located single nucleus.
• There are three main types of vessels in the arterial system: elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles.
• Elastic arteries, such as the aorta, have small vessels to supply the wall, a wide tunica media with concentric layers of elastic fibers and few smooth muscle cells, and a single layer of flattened epithelial cells in the tunica intima.
• Muscular arteries, such as the femoral artery, have a broad tunica adventitia, a tunica media mainly formed of layers of smooth muscle with few elastic fibers, and a single layer of flattened endothelial cells in the tunica intima.
• Arterioles have a tunica adventitia that merges with surrounding tissue, a tunica media consisting mainly of smooth muscle cells, and a single layer of flattened endothelium in the tunica intima.
• Veins can accommodate 70% of the blood volume and possess unidirectional valves that allow blood to drain back to the heart.
• The venous tunica intima is composed of a traditional continuous endothelium and forms venous valves.
• The venous tunica media is composed mainly of a thin layer of smooth muscle cells and no internal elastic lamina.
• The venous tunica adventitia is prominent and composed of collagenous connective tissue.
• There are three types of capillaries: continuous, fenestrated, and sinusoidal, each with different levels of permeability and basement membrane continuity.

Test your knowledge on the characteristics of cardiac cells and vessels with this informative quiz! Get familiar with the different types of vessels in the arterial system and their unique features, including elastic arteries, muscular arteries, and arterioles. Learn about the composition and structure of cardiomyocytes, Purkinje fibers, and SA node myocytes. Test your understanding of venous anatomy, including the tunica intima, media, and adventitia. Finally, challenge yourself to identify the three types of capill