College of Nursing

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

LABORATORY

ACTIVITY # 14
THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:
HEART, BLOOD VESSELS AND BLOOD COMPONENTS

I. OBJECTIVES:

a. To identify the layers that comprises veins, arteries and capillaries

b. To deduce difference between a vein and an artery
c. To identify the major blood vessels in the body
d. To perform the slide method of direct ABO typing and interpret the results completely.

II. MATERIALS

Compound microscope, prepared slide of X-S of vein and artery, charts, Anti-A/B serum, blood
typing slide, sterile lancet, dry alcohol, wet cotton balls, marking pencil, applicator stick.

III. PROCEDURES

Focus the slide containing the X-s of an artery and a vein under LPO and MPO. Identify the
histological layers of each type as to cellular components, cellular arrangement and the presence of other
specific structures in each layer of the artery and vein. Tale note of the distinct differences between the
artery and vein.

For blood grouping: draw a line down the center of a clean glass slide with a marking pencil and
label the upper portion of each slide with A on the left and B on the right. Next, scrub your hands. Clean
the tip of one finger (preferably the ring finger) with cotton moistened with alcohol. Let it dry in the air.
Prick at the side or center of the finger with sterile lancet and wipe off the first ball blood forms. Produce
another drop of blood and place each on the labeled portions of the slide. Then, add a drop of anti-A
serum on the side marked with A and drop an anti-B serum on the slide marked B and mix with clean
application stick. Tilt the slide back and forth, and examine for agglutination over a 2-minute period.
Record.

IV. DRAW AND LABEL

o Gross anatomy of the heart (anterior view)

o Frontal section of the heart (showing inferior chambers and valves)
o The systemic and pulmonary circulations
o Arterial blood supply of the brain
o The fetal circulation

V. QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

1. Enumerate the different histological layers common in artery and vein. Describe each layer according
to their arrangement, thickness and composition (tabulate)

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2. In a tabulated form, differentiate an artery from a vein considering the following aspects:

aspects artery vein

a. Thickness of layers

b. Presence of valves

c. Form of shape when

empty

d. General function

e. Location in the body

3. Name the three major branches of the arch of the aorta.

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4. name the subdivisions of the aorta

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5. What are varicose veins? What are the anatomical structures affected?

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6. Describe the changes that occur in the arteries and veins as they age.

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7. What is the hepatic portal vein?

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8. Explain how do material exchange between a fetus and a mother take place.

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9. Explain the danger of giving a person a mismatched blood.

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10. If Harry’s blood type is B, his plasma is likely to contain what kind of antibodies?

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Total score: ______________

Student’s Name Yr & Sec Date Clinical Instructor

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