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).

Artery and Vein Arrangement Thickness and Composition

Layer of connective tissue that
Tunica adventitia, the outer consists mostly of longitudinally
most layer arranged collagen and elastic
fibers.
The middle layer or tunica Consists mostly of smooth
media muscle.
Arteries will also contain a lot
UC-CON: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory│The Cardiovascular System | 1
 more elastic fibers in
comparison to veins.
Both the smooth muscle and
elastic fibers are arranged in
circular or concentric layers
surrounding the lumen of the
blood vessel.
Lined with a single layer of a
specialized epithelium called the
endothelium, which acts as a
semipermeable barrier.
The subendothelial layer is the
layer beneath the endothelium
The inner layer or tunica intima
and is still part of the tunica
intima.
This layer, which consists of
loose connective tissue and
occasionally smooth muscle as
well.

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

aspects artery vein

a. Thickness of layers
Tunica media Tunica externa

b. Presence of valves
Pulmonary valve and Aortic
Tricuspid valve and Mitral valve
valve
c. Form of shape when
empty Circular shape Floppy and irregular shape

d. General function
Carry blood away from the heart Convey blood from the tissues
to other organs. back to the heart.
e. Location in the body All parts of the body, except in
Veins can be found in your
the hairs, nails, epidermis,
muscles and along your bones.
cartilages, and cornea.

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

Brachiocephalic (right common carotid and right subclavian), left common carotid artery and left
subclavian artery.

4. Name the subdivisions of the aorta

The aorta can be divided into four subdivisions: the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic

(or descending) aorta and the abdominal aorta.

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

Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that usually occur on the legs and feet. They may be
blue or dark purple, and are often lumpy, bulging or twisted in appearance.

UC-CON: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory│The Cardiovascular System | 2

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

The most common aging change is increased stiffness of the large arteries, called arteriosclerosis or
hardening of the arteries. On the other hand, the vein physical change among aging populations is
the increase of visible, bulging veins, specifically in the legs.

7. What is the hepatic portal vein?

A blood vessel that carries blood to the liver from the intestines, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder.

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

The exchange of these substances between the mother and fetus occurs through the placenta.
The placenta is a temporary organ that begins to form from the trophoblast layer of cells shortly
after implantation. The placenta continues to develop and grow to meet the needs of the growing fetus. A
fully developed placenta is made up of a large mass of blood vessels from both the mother and fetus. The
maternal and fetal vessels are close together but separated by tiny spaces. This allows the mother’s and
fetus’s blood to exchange substances across their capillary walls without the blood actually mixing.

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

If a patient receives a blood type that is incompatible, antibodies that the patient already has in his or her
blood will attack the donor red blood cells and destroy them. This could cause fever, chills, chest or back
pain, bleeding, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, rapid drop in blood pressure, and/or kidney
damage. This is called an acute hemolytic reaction. A delayed hemolytic reaction can also occur, which is
generally less severe or even asymptomatic, but there will still be destruction of blood cells.

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

His plasma is likely to contain anti-A antibodies.

Total score: ______________

Lomioan, Heinrich L. BSN 1-J Viduya, Beth

Student’s Name Yr & Sec Date Clinical Instructor

UC-CON: Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory│The Cardiovascular System | 3