THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

PMLS 2 LECTURE 3 PRELIMS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

⬗ Describe the characteristics of different types of blood cells.

⬗ Describe the major difference between the walls of the arteries and that of the vein.

⬗ Differentiate between serum and plasma.

⬗ Name the parts of the heart and describe their function.

⬗ Locate the veins in the arm and explain how each would be used in venipuncture

WHAT IS THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM?

⬗ transportation system for the body to transfer substances and waste from one system to another

⬗ TWO PARTS:

◇ _________________

◇ circulates blood through the lungs

◇ blood is enriched w/ O2 and waste CO2 is removed

◇ _________________

THE CIRCULATORY ◇ supplies

SYSTEM the cells
| PMLS w/ oxygen,
2 PRELIMS fats, carbohydrates
| LECTURE 3 and other energy sources while at the same 1
time removing waste products

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

⬗ _________________: primary organ for blood cell production

⬗ Blood

◇ functions to carry ________ to body tissues and to remove the waste product ________

◇ also carries nutrients to all parts of the body and moves the products to the lungs, kidney, liver and skin.

◇ Normal Adult blood volume: _________________

◇ No more than 5% of the total Blood Volume can be taken in 30 days

BLOOD

⬗ Solid Portion

◇ _____ Formed Cellular Elements

◇ RBC (Erythrocytes)

◇ White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

◇ Platelets (Thrombocytes)

⬗ Liquid Portion

◇ _____ Plasma
P a g e 1|8
_________________

⬗ Instrument used to speed up the separation of blood components

⬗ A carrier holds the tube in an upright position and the carrier spins a circle once started

⬗ It must be balanced

⬗ Blood components separates according to weight

WBC RBC Platelets

Function Body Defense Transport of O2 and CO2 Stoppage of bleeding
Formation Bone marrow, lymphatic tissue Bone marrow Bone marrow
9-16 micrometer (µm); different 6-7 µm, biconcave disc; 1-4 µm; fragments of
Size/Shape
size, shape, color; nucleus anucleate in mature form megakaryocyte
Life span Varies; 24 hrs - years 100-120 days 9-12 days
Reference Values 3.5-11 x 109/L 3.8-5.9 x 1012/L 150-450x 109/L

_________________

⬗ Formation, production and development of blood cells

CELLULAR ELEMENTS

⬗ Red Blood cells (Erythrocytes)

◇ Live about __________ once they enter the bloodstream

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 2
◇ Consist of a membrane that encases hemoglobin

◇ Hemoglobin

◇ ________ containing pigment

◇ holds oxygen molecules

◇ releases the oxygen to tissues

◇ brings Carbon dioxide to the lungs

◇ Contains antigens that determine the blood type

⬗ White Blood Cells

◇ Leukocytes

◇ Vary greatly in size

◇ Appear as large white cells w/ purple centers (nuclei) when viewed in a stained smear

◇ Some have granules that stain pink, blue, orange

◇ Med tech performs _________________ that can help in the identification of disease

⬗ Platelets (Thrombocytes)
P a g e 2|8
 ◇ Smallest of the formed elements

◇ Fragments of _________________ from the bone marrow

◇ Aid in clotting process by sticking together

BLOOD VESSELS

⬗ Three layers:

◇ Tunica ___________- lined by endothelium, areolar and elastic tissue

◇ Tunica ___________- Middle layer of circular smooth muscles

◇ Tunica ___________- Outer coat which consists principally of collagen and elastic fibers

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 3

ARTERY VEINS

Carry blood FROM the heart, carry oxygenated blood (except Carry blood TO the heart, carry deoxygenated blood (except
pulmonary artery) pulmonary vein)
Bright red Dark red
Elastic walls that expand with the surge of blood Less elastic, thin walls
No valves valves
Has a pulse No pulse

ARTERY

⬗ Have strong thick walls

⬗ Constantly expanding and contracting

⬗ Forms branches called _________________ that branch even more to become capillaries. Then capillaries start
forming together to create venules then become veins

VEINS
P a g e 3|8
 ⬗ Majority of veins are small or medium-sized with < 1 cm diameter

⬗ Veins have valves especially numerous in the veins of the legs

⬗ Consist of paired _________________ of tunica intima

⬗ Prevent _________________ of blood

CAPILLARIES

⬗ Microscopic, one-cell-thick vessels

⬗ Connects the arterioles and venules forming a bridge between the arterial and venous circulation

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 4

HEART

⬗ The organ that keeps all blood flowing; rhythmically contracting

⬗ A muscle with 4 distinct chambers

◇ Right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium and left ventricle

⬗ _________________

◇ muscular wall that divides right and left sides

⬗ Weight in normal adult

◇ Females: _________________

◇ Males: _________________

P a g e 4|8
LAYERS OF THE HEART

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 5

⬗ _________________- the sac that encloses the heart

⬗ _________________- infection of the endocardium

⬗ _________________- when coronary arteries are blocked, it leads to Myocardial infarction (heart attack)

P a g e 5|8
 BLOOD FLOW CHART

⬗ Superior/inferior vena cava

⬗ Right atrium
⬗ Right ventricle
⬗ Pulmonary artery to lungs
⬗ Pulmonary vein from lungs
⬗ Left atrium
⬗ Left ventricle
⬗ Aorta
⬗ Arteries
⬗ Arterioles
⬗ Capillaries
⬗ Venules
⬗ Veins
⬗ Back to superior/ inferior vena cava

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 6

EXAMPLES OF TESTS FOR HEART DISEASE

⬗ Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)

⬗ Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

⬗ Blood gases

⬗ Brain Natriuretic peptide (BNP)

⬗ Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB)

⬗ Complete Blood count (CBC)

⬗ C Reactive protein (CRP)

⬗ Lactate Dehydrogenase 1 (LDH 1)

⬗ Myoglobin

⬗ Troponin

P a g e 6|8
VEINS AND ARTERIES OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE PHLEBOTOMIST

⬗ _________________ (bend of the arm), back of the hand, wrist, and ankle or foot.

⬗ Why is it the choice?

◇ Veins are near the surface, large enough

◇ Frequently forms “M” or “H” shaped pattern

⬗ Arteries may also be used to obtain samples but requires special training

THE CIRCULATORY
H-SHAPED SYSTEM
ANTECUBITAL | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3
VEINS 7

⬗ Median ____________ Vein

◇ the center of the antecubital fossa

◇ Used majority of the time

◇ Larger, closer to the surface, better anchored and less tendency to roll

◇ Easiest to palpate, least painful to puncture and least likely to bruise

◇ Forms a bridge pathway between cephalic and basilic veins

⬗ _____________ Vein (second choice) 😞

◇ Follows along the thumb side of the arm

◇ Not prone to rolling but slightly more difficult to feel

◇ Often the only vein that can be palpated in obese patients

⬗ ____________ Vein (third choice) 😓

◇ Easy to palpate but not well anchored and rolls more easily

◇ Underlying this vein is the brachial artery and median cutaneous nerve

P a g e 7|8
M-SHAPED ANTECUBITAL VEINS

⬗ Median Vein

◇ Intermediate antebrachial vein

◇ Well anchored, tends to be less painful to puncture

◇ Not close to major nerves or arteries as others (safest)

⬗ Median Cephalic Vein (second choice)

◇ Intermediate cephalic vein

◇ Accessible and is located away from major nerves or arteries

◇ Less likely to roll and relatively less painful to puncture

⬗ Median Basilic Vein (third choice)

◇ Intermediate basilic vein

◇ More painful to puncture and is located near the anterior and posterior branches of the medial
cutaneous nerve and brachial artery

THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM | PMLS 2 PRELIMS | LECTURE 3 8

⬗ Brachial Artery (arms)

⬗ Radial and Ulnar Arteries (wrist)

◇ puncturing these blood vessels requires special techniques

◇ for _________________ analysis

⬗ Veins of the feet

◇ Alternative when veins in arms are not available

◇ Needs permission from physician

◇ Prone to clot formation that may cause blockage in other body parts

P a g e 8|8