Questions and Answers
What is the innermost tunic of blood vessels?
Tunica intima
Which tunic is especially thick in elastic arteries?
Tunica media
What is the most superficial tunic of blood vessels?
Tunica externa
Why are valves present in veins but not in arteries?
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What are two events that aid in venous return?
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Why are the walls of arteries proportionately thicker than those of corresponding veins?
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What does the arterial system have one of, while the venous system has two?
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Which arteries supply the myocardium?
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What are the two paired arteries serving the brain?
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What is the longest vein in the lower limb?
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What artery is found on the dorsum of the foot?
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What is the main artery serving the thigh muscles?
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Which artery supplies the diaphragm?
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What is formed by the union of the radial and ulnar veins?
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What are two superficial veins of the arm?
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What artery serves the kidney?
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What veins drain the liver?
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What artery supplies the distal half of the large intestine?
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What drains the pelvic organs?
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What does the external iliac artery become upon entry into the thigh?
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What artery branches into radial and ulnar arteries?
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What supplies most of the small intestine?
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What joins to form the inferior vena cava?
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What is the arterial trunk that has three major branches to the liver, spleen, and stomach?
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What is the major artery serving the tissues external to the skull?
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What are the four veins serving the leg?
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Which artery is generally used to take the pulse at the wrist?
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What is the function of the cerebral arterial circle?
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From which artery do the anterior and middle cerebral arteries arise?
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Trace the pathway of a drop of blood from the aorta to the left occipital lobe.
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Trace the pathway of blood from the capillary beds of the left thumb to the capillary beds of the right thumb.
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Trace the pathway from the mitral valve to the tricuspid valve via the great toe.
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Study Notes
Blood Vessel Structure and Function
- Tunica intima: The innermost layer of blood vessels, consisting of a thin layer of endothelial cells found in capillaries.
- Tunica media: The middle layer, particularly thick in elastic arteries, contains smooth muscle and elastin for elasticity and strength.
- Tunica externa: The outermost layer that provides structural support and a smooth surface to reduce resistance against blood flow.
Venous System Characteristics
- Valves in veins: Present to facilitate blood return to the heart under low pressure, while arteries do not require valves as they are under higher pressure.
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Venous return aids:
- Respiratory pump: Pressure changes in the thorax during breathing assist in venous return.
- Muscular pump: Contraction and relaxation of surrounding skeletal muscles compress veins and propel blood back to the heart.
- Arteries vs. veins: Arteries have thicker walls due to the high pressure from blood being pumped directly into them.
Major Arteries and Veins
- Brachiocephalic trunk: The arterial system has one; the venous system has two brachiocephalic veins.
- Coronary arteries: Supply blood to the myocardium (heart muscle).
- Carotid arteries: The external and internal carotid arteries supply blood to the head and brain.
- Great saphenous vein: The longest vein in the lower limb.
- Dorsalis pedis artery: Located on the dorsum (top) of the foot, important for measuring pulse.
Key Arterial Functions
- Femoral artery: Main artery serving the thigh muscles.
- Phrenic artery: Supplies blood to the diaphragm.
- Brachial artery: Formed by the union of the radial and ulnar veins.
- Renal artery: Supplies the kidneys.
- Hepatic veins: Drain blood from the liver.
- Inferior mesenteric artery: Supplies the distal half of the large intestine.
- Superior mesenteric artery: Supplies most of the small intestine.
- Common carotid artery: Major artery serving tissues external to the skull.
Venous Drainage and Blood Pathways
- Common iliac veins: Join to form the inferior vena cava.
- Celiac trunk: An arterial trunk with three branches leading to the liver, spleen, and stomach.
- Leg veins: Four key veins serve the leg - anterior tibial, fibular, and posterior tibial.
- Radial artery: Commonly used for taking the pulse at the wrist.
Cerebral Circulation
- Cerebral arterial circle: Provides alternate pathways for blood to reach the brain in case of impaired flow.
- Anterior and middle cerebral arteries: Branch from the internal carotid artery, serving the cerebrum.
Blood Flow Pathways
- Aorta to left occipital lobe: Blood flows from the subclavian artery to vertebral artery, basilar artery, and posterior cerebral artery.
- Left to right thumb capillary beds: A detailed pathway through various veins and arteries, emphasizing the complexity of blood circulation.
- From the mitral valve to tricuspid valve via the great toe: A thorough sequence showing the route blood takes from the heart to the lower limb and back.
These notes cover critical aspects of blood vessel anatomy and physiology important for understanding blood circulation and the associated structures in the human body.
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Prepare for your lab exam with these flashcards focusing on blood vessels. Each card covers key terms such as tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica externa, essential for understanding vascular anatomy. This resource will help reinforce your knowledge about the structure and function of blood vessels.