Unit 06 - Vessels

Over 60,000
Cardiovascular System: Vessels miles of vessels

per human body
Cardiovascular System – Vessels
Blood Vessel Anatomy:

(branch / diverge / fork)
Elastic Muscular Arterioles

Arteries Arteries
Vessel Types:
Heart (nutrient
exchange)
1) Arteries (away from heart)
2) Capillaries Capillaries
3) Veins (toward heart)
Veins Venules
(join / merge / converge)
O2-rich;
CO2-poor
Pulmonary circuit
(short, low pressure loop)
O2-poor;
CO2-rich
(long, high pressure loop)
Systemic circuit
O2-poor; O2-rich;
CO2-rich CO2-poor
% / volume not fixed:

Function: • Alteration of arteriole size
1) Circulate nutrients / waste • Alteration of cardiac output
2) Regulate blood pressure • Combination of two above
Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.1
1
Blood Vessel Anatomy: Only tunic present

in capillaries
Vessels composed of distinct tunics :
1) Tunica intima
Tunica intima • Endothelium (simple squamous epithelium)
• Connective tissue ( elastic fibers)
2) Tunica media
• Smooth muscle / elastic fibers
• Regulates pressure / circulation
• Sympathetic innervation
Lumen
Vasa
3) Tunica externa vasorum
• Loose collagen fibers
• Nerves / lymph & blood vessels
• Protects / anchors vessel
Vasomotor stimulation = vasoconstriction

Tunica media Vasomotor relaxation = vasodilation
Tunica externa
Cardiovascular System – Vessels Relative tissue

makeup
Smooth muscle
Arteriosclerosis:
Fibrous tissue
Elastic tissue
Endothelium
Arteries: Hardening / stiffening of arteries
Major groups:
D = Diameter
T = Thickness
1) Elastic Arteries (conducting arteries):
D: 1.5 cm
• Large, thick-walled (near heart) T: 1.0 mm
•  [elastic fibers] (pressure reservior)
2) Muscular Arteries (distributing arteries):

• Deliver blood to organs D: 6.0 mm
T: 1.0 mm
•  [smooth muscle] (vasoconstriction)
3) Arterioles:
• Control blood into capillaries D: 37.0 m
T: 6.0 m
• Neural / hormonal / local controls
Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Table 19.1

makeup
Smooth muscle
Fibrous tissue
Elastic tissue
Endothelium
Capillaries:
1) Capillaries:
• Location of blood / tissue interface D: 9.0 m
T: 1.0 m
• Stabilized by pericytes (smooth muscle cells)
Types of Capillaries:
A) Continuous 2) Fenestrated 3) Sinusoidal:

• Uninterrupted lining • Oval pores present • Holes / clefts present
• Found throughout body • Located in high absorption / • Allow passage of large
(most common type) filtration regions (e.g., kidney) molecules (e.g., liver)
Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Table 19.1 / Figure 19.3
2

Capillaries:
Capillaries do not function independently – Instead they

form interweaving networks called capillary beds
Vascular True capillaries Not all capillaries are perfused

shunt with blood at all times…
Terminal Postcapillary Precapillary sphincters

arteriole venule
• 10 - 100 capillaries / bed • Sphincters control blood flow

a) Vascular shunt through capillary bed
b) True capillaries
Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Figure 19.4

makeup
Smooth muscle
Leukocyte
Fibrous tissue
Elastic tissue
margination
Endothelium
Veins:
Major groups:
1) Venules:
D: 20.0 m
• Formed where capillaries unite T: 1.0 m
• Extremely porous
2) Veins (capacitance vessels):

D: 5.0 mm
• Large lumen; “volume” sink T: 0.5 mm
• Low pressure environment
Venous sinuses:
Specialized, flattened veins
composed only of endothelium;
supported by surrounding tissues
Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Figures 19.3 / 19.5
3
Vascular anastomoses:
Blood Vessel Anatomy: Regions where vessels unite,
forming interconnections
Heart
Heart
Venous anastomoses
are common; vein blockages
collateral
rarely lead to tissue death Arteriovenous channels
anastomosis
Arterial anastomoses
provide alternative channels
for blood to reach locations
• Joints
• Abdominal organs
• Brain
Retina, spleen, & kidney have

Great saphenous limited collateral circulation
vein harvest

Would you want
Pathophysiology: Most common form to find this pipe
of arteriosclerosis in your house?
Atherosclerosis:
Formation of atheromas (small, patchy thickenings)
on wall of vessel; intrude into lumen
1) Endothelium injured 3) Fibrous plaque forms

• Infection / hypertension • Collagen / elastin fibers
deposited around dying or
2) Lipids accumulate / oxidize dead foam cells
• LDLs collect on tunica intima
4) Plaque becomes unstable
Foam cells: • Calcium collects in plaque
Macrophages engorged • Vessel constricts; arterial wall
with LDLs; form fatty streak frays / ulcerates (= thrombus)
Link
Outcome:
Statins: • Myocardial infarctions
Cholesterol-lowering
drugs • Strokes
• Aneurysms Angioplasty / Stent Bypass surgery

To stay alive, blood must
Hemodynamics: be kept moving…
Blood Flow:
Volume of blood flowing past a
point per given time (ml / min)
The velocity of blood flow is not related to proximity of heart, but depends
on the diameter and cross-sectional area of blood vessels
v = Q /A
v = Velocity (cm / sec)

Q = Flow (mL / sec)
A = Cross-sectional area (cm 2)
A = r2
4
Blood Flow:
Volume of blood flowing past a
point per given time (ml / min)
The velocity of blood flow is not related to proximity of heart, but depends
on the diameter and cross-sectional area of blood vessels
v = Q /A
Blood velocity is
highest in the aorta
and lowest in the
capillaries Capillaries
Artery Vein
Randall et al. (Eckert Animal Physiology, 5th ed.) – Figure 12.23
v = Q /A
A man has a cardiac output of 5.5 L /

min. The diameter of his aorta is
estimated to be 20 mm, and the total
cross-sectional area of his systemic
capillaries is estimated to be 2500 cm2.
What is the velocity of blood flow

in the aorta relative to the velocity
of blood flow in the capillaries?
cm 3 (1 cm)
A = r2 A = (3.14) (10 mm)2 A = 3.14 cm2
(5500 mL)
5.5 L / min 5500 cm 3 / min
vcapillaries = vaorta =
2500 cm 2 3.14 cm 2 800x
difference
vcapillaries = 2.2 cm / min vaorta = 1752 cm / min

Blood flow through a blood vessel or a series of blood vessels is

determined by blood pressure and peripheral resistance
Blood Pressure:
Force per unit area on wall of
vessel (mm Hg)
• The magnitude of blood flow is directly proportional to the size of the pressure
difference between two ends of a vessel
Blood Flow (Q) = Difference in blood pressure ( P)
• The direction of blood flow is determined by the direction of the pressure gradient
Always moves from high to low pressure
5
Heart
generates
initial
pressure
Vessel resistance
generates
pressure gradient

Blood flow through a blood vessel or a series of blood vessels is

determined by blood pressure and peripheral resistance
Peripheral Resistance:
Amount of friction blood encounters
passing through vessels
(mm Hg / mL / min)
• Blood flow is inversely proportional to resistance encountered in the system
1
Blood Flow (Q) =
Peripheral resistance (R)
The major mechanism for changing blood flow in the

cardiovascular system is by changing the resistance of blood
vessels, particularly the arterioles

(difference in voltage)
(current) Difference in blood pressure ( P)
Blood Flow (Q) =
(electrical resistance)
Analogous to Ohm’s Law (V = I x R OR I = V / R)
Q = P / R
A man has a renal blood flow of 500
mL / min. The renal atrial pressure R = P / Q
is 100 mm Hg and the renal venous
pressure is 10 mm Hg. 100 mm Hg – 10 mm Hg
R =
What is the vascular resistance of 500 mL / min
the kidney for this man?
R = 0.18 mm Hg / mL / min
6
The factors that determine the resistance of a blood vessel to

blood flow are expressed by Poiseuille’s (pwä-zwēz) Law:
Powerful relationship! R = Resistance

Slight diameter change
8Lη η = Viscosity of blood
R =
equals
large resistance change
r4 L = Length
r = Radius
1) Blood viscosity 2) Vessel Length 3) Vessel Diameter
 viscosity =  resistance  length =  resistance  diameter =  resistance

The total resistance associated with a set of blood vessels also depends
on whether the vessels are arranged in series or in parallel
A) Series resistance:
Sequential arrangement (e.g., pathway within single organ)
Arteriolar resistance is the greatest which equates to

the area with the greatest decrease in pressure
The total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances

The total resistance associated with a set of blood vessels also depends
on whether the vessels are arranged in series or in parallel
B) Parallel resistance:
Simultaneous arrangement (e.g., pathway among various circulations)
Adding a new resistance to the

circuit causes total resistance
to decrease
No loss of pressure
in major arteries
Increasing the resistance in one

circuit causes total resistance
to increase
The total resistance is less than any of the individual resistances
7
Ideally, blood flow in the cardiovascular system is streamlined
1) Laminar Flow: Characterized by parabolic velocity profile

• Flow is 0 velocity at wall; maximal at center
• Layers of fluid slide past one another
Blood ~ 4x
Viscosity: more viscous
Measure of the resistance to sliding than water
between adjacent layers
What would you expect to happen to blood viscosity  viscosity in

as vessel diameter decreases? capillaries – Why?
Fahraeus – Lindqvist Effect:

()
Relative viscosity of blood decreases with
RBCs Hematocrit
decreasing vessel diameter
(< 0.3 mm ~ 1.8x water)
Reduced energy required to drive blood

through microcirculation Plasma Skimming Exit to smaller
vessels

Ideally, blood flow in the cardiovascular system is streamlined
1) Laminar Flow: Characterized by parabolic velocity profile

• Flow is 0 velocity at wall; maximal at center
• Layers of fluid slide past one another
Blood ~ 4x
Viscosity: more viscous
Measure of the resistance to sliding than water
between adjacent layers
2) Turbulent Flow: Blood moves in directions not aligned with axis of blood flow
• More pressure required to propel blood
• Noisy (stethoscope)
Reynolds Number: Anemia

Thrombi
Indicator of whether flow will be
laminar or turbulent
 Re = turbulence (> 2000) Factors affecting Reynolds Number:
1) Viscosity ( viscosity =  Reynolds number)
2) Velocity ( velocity =  Reynolds number)

The capacitance of a blood vessel describes the volume of

blood a vessel can hold at a given pressure
Volume (mL)
Compliance =
(mL / mm Hg) Pressure (mm Hg)
Compliance = slope of line
Compliance is high in veins Unstressed

(large blood volumes @ low pressure) volume
Compliance is low in arteries Stressed

(low blood volumes @ high pressure) volume
Total blood volume = Unstressed volume + Stressed volume
Changes in compliance of the veins cause

redistribution of blood between arteries and veins Arterial pressure increases in
elderly due to lower compliance
• Venoconstriction
8
As noted earlier, blood pressure is not equal throughout system
~ 100
mm Hg
1
High initial pressure:
• Large volume of
blood entering aorta
• Low compliance of
1
aortic wall

Although mean pressure is high and constant, there are

pulsations of aortic (and arterial) pressure
Dicrotic
notch
Systolic Pressure: Dicrotic notch:

Pressure from ventricular contraction Brief period following
closure of aortic valve
Diastolic Pressure: where pressure drops
due to retrograde flow
Pressure from ventricular relaxation

Although mean pressure is high and constant, there are

pulsations of aortic (and arterial) pressure
Pulse Pressure:
Systolic pressure – Diastolic pressure
• Reflective of stroke volume
Mean Arterial Pressure: Why is it not

Diastolic pressure + 1/3 Pulse pressure + 1/2 pulse pressure?
9
Pathophysiology:
Several pathologic conditions alter the arterial

pressure curve in a predictable way
Arteriosclerosis:
 compliance =  systolic pressure C = V/P

Aortic stenosis:
 Stroke volume =  systolic pressure



Pulsations in large arteries greater than aorta
~ 100 ~ 100 • Pressure wave travels faster than blood
mm Hg mm Hg • Pressure waves reflected at branch points
2
Pressure remains high:
• High elastic recoil of
artery walls
• Pressure reservoir
1 2

~ 100 ~ 100 ~ 50 ~ 20 ~4
mm Hg mm Hg mm Hg mm Hg mm Hg
2
Pressure remains high:
Largest
Profile similar in
• High elastic recoil of drop pulmonary system
artery walls but with much lower
• Pressure reservoir pressures (25 / 8)
Energy
1 2 consumed
3 to overcome
frictional
Dramatic drop in pressure:
forces
• High resistance to flow 4
3
4
Pressure continues to drop:
• Frictional resistance to flow
• Filtration of fluid out of
Blood return assisted by:
capillaries
• Large lumen ( resistance)
• Valves
Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.8 • Muscular pumps
10
Blood Pressure Regulation:
Mean arterial pressure (Pa) is the driving force for blood flow, and
must be maintained at a high, constant level
Difference in blood pressure ( P)

Blood Flow (Q) =
Mean Arterial Pressure (Pa) = Cardiac Output (Q) x Peripheral

Resistance (R)
Note:
Equation deceptively simple;
in reality, cardiac output and
peripheral resistance are not
independent of each other
Factors Affecting Blood Pressure:
Blood Volume *
( Blood Volume =  BP)
Mean Arterial Pressure (Pa) = Cardiac Output (Q) x Peripheral

Resistance (R)
Cardiac Output * Vessel Diameter *
( CO =  BP) ( D =  R =  BP)
Blood Viscosity
( V =  R =  BP)
Pa is regulated by two major systems that work via
negative feedback to maintain ~ 100 mm Hg Vessel Length
( L =  R =  BP)
Vessel Elasticity
( VE =  R =  BP)
* Variables that can be readily manipulated
Blood Pressure Regulation: System 1
Baroreceptor mechanisms are fast, neurally mediated reflexes that attempt

to keep Pa constant via changes in cardiac output and vessel diameter
Baroreceptors:
Function:
• Mechanoreceptors (respond to stretch)
•  Pa =  stretch =  firing rate
•  Pa =  stretch =  firing rate
While sensitive to absolute level of

pressure, they are most sensitive
rates of changes in pressure
Location:
• Carotid sinus (increase / decrease in Pa)
• Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
• Aortic arch (increase in Pa)
• Vagus nerve (X)
Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Figures 18.4 / 19.22
11

 Pa
(+) (+)
(integration center; medulla) (-)

(+)
cardiovascular
centers in
medulla
Decrease in
(+) Increase in
HR / contractility (-) (-) (-) (-) vessel diameter
( CO)
( PR)

Valsalva Maneuver:
Blood Pressure Regulation: Expiring against a closed glottis; used
to test integrity of baroreceptor reflex

 Pa
(-)
(integration center; medulla) (+)

(-)
cardiovascular
centers in
medulla
Increase in
(-) Decrease in
HR / contractility (+) (+) (+) (+) vessel diameter
( CO)
( PR)
Blood Pressure Regulation: System 2
Renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system is a slow, hormonally mediated

response to keep Pa constant via changes in blood volume
Detected by mechanoreceptors
in afferent arterioles
Released by
juxtaglomerular cells
(kidney)
Decapeptide;
no biological activity
(Produced by liver) (lungs / kidneys)
12
Renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system is a slow, hormonally mediated

response to keep Pa constant via changes in blood volume
(adrenal cortex) (kidney) (hypothalamus) (blood vessels)
 Blood Volume
Additional mechanisms aid in regulating mean arterial pressure
A) Peripheral chemoreceptors C) Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

(carotid bodies / aortic arch) (posterior pituitary)
• Respond to  PO2with vasoconstriction

and increased heart rate aka vasopressin
B) Central chemoreceptors
(medulla oblongata) • Respond to an  serum osmolarity and
a  in blood pressure
• Respond to primarily to  PCO2 and  pH
• Triggers vasoconstriction (V1 receptors)
Brain becomes ischemic
D) Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
 PCO2 and  pH (atria)
Increased sympathetic outflow
BIG RED BUTTON
Intense arteriolar vasoconstriction in

peripheral capillary beds • Respond to an  in blood pressure
Redirects blood • Triggers vasodilation and  H2O excretion
to brain
Functions of the arterioles, capillaries,

Microcirculation:
lymphatic vessels, and veins
Heart
Exchange across capillary wall:
(lipid soluble) (water soluble)
O2 / CO2 Fluids Solutes
Directly through Aqueous clefts

endothelium between cells
• Simple diffusion drives exchange of

gases and solutes
• Fluid transfer across membrane occurs
via osmosis
• Hydrostatic pressure Starling
• Osmotic pressure forces
Microcirculation
13
Microcirculation:
Fluid movement across a capillary wall is driven by the

Starling pressures across the wall
capillary
Starling equation:
Pc c
Jv = Kf [(Pc – Pi) – (c – i)] Kf
interstitial fluid
Pi i
Jv = Fluid movement (mL / min)
Kf = Hydraulic conductance (mL / min  mm Hg) Water permeability of capillary wall (structural property)
Pc = Capillary hydrostatic pressure (mm Hg) Capillary fluid pressure
Pi = Interstitial hydrostatic pressure (mm Hg) Interstitial fluid pressure
c = Capillary osmotic pressure (mm Hg) Capillary osmotic pressure (due to [protein])
i = Interstitial osmotic pressure (mm Hg) Interstitial osmotic pressure (due to [protein])
Direction of fluid movement (Jv) may be into or out of capillary

Filtration = Net fluid movement is out of capillary and into interstitial fluid ((+) number)
Absorption = Net fluid movement is into capillary and out of interstitial fluid ((-) number)
In a skeletal muscle of an individual, the

following Starling pressures were measured:
Pc = 30 mm Hg
Pi = 1 mm Hg
Kf = 0.5 mL / min  mm Hg
c = 26 mm Hg
i = 3 mm Hg
What is the direction and magnitude

of fluid movement across this capillary?
Jv = Kf [(Pc – Pi) – (c – i)]

Jv = 0.5 [(30 – 1) – (26 – 3)]
Jv = 0.5 [29 – 23]
Jv = 0.5 (6) Jv = 3 mL / min
(filtration)
In a skeletal muscle of an individual, the

following Starling pressures were measured:
Pc = 30 mm Hg
Pi = 1 mm Hg
Kf = 0.5 mL / min  mm Hg
c = 26 mm Hg
i = 3 mm Hg
What is the direction and magnitude

of fluid movement across this capillary?
Jv = 0.5 (6)
Pc = +30 c = -26 +6
Jv = 3 mL / min
(filtration)
Pi = -1 c = +3
14
Microcirculation:
Fluid movement across a capillary wall is not

equal along the length of a capillary
Arterial end
+10 Pc = +35 c = -26 Pc = +17 c = -26 -8

Venous end
Pi = 0 c = +1 Pi = 0 c = +1
Jv = 0.5 (2) What happens to the fluid

not returned to the capillary?
Jv = 1 mL / min
(net filtration)
Randall et al. (Eckert Animal Physiology, 5th ed.) – Figure 12.37
Microcirculation:
Lymphoid system returns excess fluid to bloodstream
Additional Functions:
 Lymph node biopsy
• Produce / maintain / distribute lymphocytes
• Distributes hormones / nutrients / waste products
Lymph nodes filter

fluids (99% purified)
Flow of Lymph:
• Originate as pockets
• Large diameters / thin walls
• One-way valves (external)
Lymphatic ducts Lymphatic Trunks
Lymphatic capillaries Lymphatic vessels Collecting Vessels
One-way valves (internal)

Microcirculation:
• Lymph from right side of • Lymph from left side of
Flow of Lymph: body above diaphragm head, neck, and thorax
Thoracic Duct:
• Begins inferior to diaphragm
• Empties into left subclavian vein
Right Lymphatic Duct:

• Empties into right subclavian vein
Cisterna chyli:
Chamber that collects lymph from
abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs
Similar to Marieb & Hoehn (Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed.) – Figure 20.2
15
Pathophysiology:
Edema (swelling) results from an increase

in interstitial fluid volume
Forms when the volume of fluids filtered out of the capillaries exceeds the
ability of the lymphatics to return it to circulation
Elephantiasis
Jv = Kf [(Pc – Pi) – (c – i)]
Causes:
1) Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
• Arteriole dilation
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Heart failure
2) Decreased capillary osmotic pressure

• Severe liver failure (limited protein synthesis)
• Protein malnutrition 4) Impaired lymphatic drainage
• Prolonged standing
3) Increased hydraulic conductance
• Removal / irradiation of lymph nodes
• Severe burn
• Parasitic infection
• Inflammation (leaky vessels)
Special Circulations:
Blood flow is variable between one organ and another, depending

on the overall demands of each organ system
Interorgan differences in blood

flow results from differences
in vascular resistance
Blood flow to specific organs can

increase or decrease depending on
metabolic demands
What about the lungs?

Changes in blood flow to an
individual organ are achieved by
altering arteriolar resistance
The mechanisms that regulate blood flow are categorized as

local (intrinsic) control and neural / hormonal (extrinsic) control
Local controls are most important mechanism for regulating
1) Local control: coronary, cerebral, skeletal muscle, pulmonary,
and renal circulation
A) Autoregulation
• Maintenance of constant blood flow in face of changing arterial pressure
Myogenic Hypothesis:
Q = P / R When vascular smooth muscle is
stretched, it contracts
 BP  BP =  smooth muscle stretch = vasoconstriction

=
ALTERNATIVELY
 BP =  BP =  smooth muscle stretch = vasodilation
16

Local controls are most important mechanism for regulating
1) Local control: coronary, cerebral, skeletal muscle, pulmonary,
and renal circulation
B) Active hyperemia
• Blood flow to an organ is proportional to its metabolic activity
C) Reactive hyperemia (Repayment of oxygen ‘debt’)

• Blood flow to an organ is increased in response to a period of decreased blood flow
Vasodilator metabolites
Metabolic Hypothesis:
O2 delivery to a tissue is matched CO2 H+ K+ lactate CO2 H+ K+ lactate Back to resting…
to O2 consumption by altering
O2 Fluid
arteriole resistance
Tissues Tissues Tissues

Neuronal / hormonal controls are most important

2) Neuronal / Hormonal controls: mechanism for maintaining skin circulation
A) Neuronal
• Sympathetic innervation of vascular smooth muscle
B) Hormonal
Histamine Serotonin Prostaglandins

• arteriodilator; venoconstrictor • local vasoconstriction • local vasodilators / vasoconstrictors
•  Pc = local edema
Bradykinin
• arteriodilator; venoconstrictor
•  Pc = local edema
Pathophysiology:
Circulatory shock refers to any condition in which

the blood vessels are inadequately filled
A) Hypovolemic Shock B) Vascular Shock C) Cardiogenic Shock

Large-scale blood loss Abnormal expansion of Heart malfunctions
vascular beds due
Thready pulse
to extreme vasodilation
(  HR;extreme
vasoconstriciton)
• Acute hemorrage • Myocardial infarction

• Severe vomiting / diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis (allergies)
• Extensive burns
• Failure of ANS regulation
• Septicemia (bacteria)
17

Unit 06 - Vessels

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Cardiovascular System: Vessels miles of vessels

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Blood Vessel Anatomy:

Elastic Muscular Arterioles

(join / merge / converge)

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Blood Vessel Anatomy:

% / volume not fixed:

Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.1

Blood Vessel Anatomy: Only tunic present

Vasomotor stimulation = vasoconstriction

Cardiovascular System – Vessels Relative tissue

Arteries: Hardening / stiffening of arteries

2) Muscular Arteries (distributing arteries):

Cardiovascular System – Vessels Relative tissue

A) Continuous 2) Fenestrated 3) Sinusoidal:

Blood Vessel Anatomy:

Capillaries do not function independently – Instead they

Vascular True capillaries Not all capillaries are perfused

Terminal Postcapillary Precapillary sphincters

• 10 - 100 capillaries / bed • Sphincters control blood flow

Cardiovascular System – Vessels Relative tissue

2) Veins (capacitance vessels):

Retina, spleen, & kidney have

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

1) Endothelium injured 3) Fibrous plaque forms

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

v = Velocity (cm / sec)

Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.4

Randall et al. (Eckert Animal Physiology, 5th ed.) – Figure 12.23

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

A man has a cardiac output of 5.5 L /

What is the velocity of blood flow

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Blood flow through a blood vessel or a series of blood vessels is

Blood Flow (Q) = Difference in blood pressure ( P)

Always moves from high to low pressure

Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.8

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Blood flow through a blood vessel or a series of blood vessels is

• Blood flow is inversely proportional to resistance encountered in the system

The major mechanism for changing blood flow in the

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Analogous to Ohm’s Law (V = I x R OR I = V / R)

The factors that determine the resistance of a blood vessel to

Powerful relationship! R = Resistance

1) Blood viscosity 2) Vessel Length 3) Vessel Diameter

 viscosity =  resistance  length =  resistance  diameter =  resistance

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Sequential arrangement (e.g., pathway within single organ)

Arteriolar resistance is the greatest which equates to

The total resistance is equal to the sum of the individual resistances

Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.5

Cardiovascular System – Vessels

Adding a new resistance to the

Increasing the resistance in one

The total resistance is less than any of the individual resistances

Costanzo (Physiology, 4th ed.) – Figure 4.5

Ideally, blood flow in the cardiovascular system is streamlined

1) Laminar Flow: Characterized by parabolic velocity profile

What would you expect to happen to blood viscosity  viscosity in

Fahraeus – Lindqvist Effect: