The Circulatory System

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The Circulatory System Unit 4

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Transcript of The Circulatory System

The Circulatory System

Unit 4

I. Blood

A. Terms1. Agglutination:

the process by which cells stick together to form clumps

2. Antibody: a protein in the plasma produced by a type of activated WBC. Once produced, it binds to an antigen to neutralize it

3. Antigen: a protein on the plasma membrane of RBC that stimulate certain WBC to produce antibodies

4. Embolus: a substance transported by the blood. Examples: blood clots, air bubbles

5. Hemostasis: the stoppage of

bleeding6. Thrombus:

a blood clot that has formed in a blood vessel

B. Functions

Maintenance of homeostasis by:

1. Transportation of respiratory gases, nutrients, metabolic wastes and hormones

2. Protection against harmful microorganisms and toxins, and fluid loss

3. Regulation of acid-base balance and body temperature

C. PropertiesColor: red due to hemoglobinVolume: males 5 – 6 liters; females 4 – 5 litersViscosity: 5 times greater than waterpH: between 7.35 and 7.45

D. Components:

All of the following components of blood are produced in red bone marrow

1. Plasma: the liquid portion of blood. It is mostly water with some solutes such as plasma proteins (albumins, globulins & fibrinogen)

2. Red Blood Cells: RBCs: erythrocytes

Biconcave so that they can carry a maximum amount of hemoglobinHgb binds to O2 which is delivered to the cells andCarries away CO2

The production of RBCs is regulated by a hormone (erythropoietin) secreted by cells in the kidneys

3. White Blood Cells: WBCsLeukocytes

Protects the body from diseaseLymphocytes: produce antibodiesBasophils: cause inflammation

Neutrophils and monocytes: are phagocyticEosinophils: battle allergens through phagocytosis

4. Thrombocytes/Platelets

Plays an important role in blood clotting

Components 2, 3 and 4 are

formed elements

E. HemostasisThe stoppage of bleeding

1. Blood vessel spasm: the smooth muscle tissue in the walls of the blood vessels contractResulting in the temporary closure of the opening

2. Platelet plug formation

When platelets arrive at the site of blood vessel breakage, theyIncrease in size and become irregular in shapeAnd their surface becomes sticky

At the site of the break in the blood vessel, platelets stick to one another and to collagen fibers in the blood vesselForming a “clump” that can seal a small break

3. Coagulation

The most effective and complex of the blood clotting mechanismsIt involves a series of events that results in the formation of a network that traps the formed elements creating a barrier over the site

The process of coagulation takes approximately 2 to 8 minutes to completeA lack of any of the factors necessary can lead to an inability of the blood to clot

Dietary deficiencies (especially in vitamin K), liver disease or hemophilia can result in an inability to form clots

In some cases, a blood clot may form when it is not needed. This can happen if the inner wall of the blood vessel is rough or if it contains an accumulation of fatty deposits (as seen in atherosclerosis)

The blood clot that forms is called a thrombus which can cause death if it blocks the flow of blood to a vital organ

If the blood clot detaches and moves, it is called an embolus. It can be fatal if it lodges in a blood vessel feeding into a vital organ

F. Hemopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation in the red bone marrowAll of the formed elements originate from a single population of cells

called stem cells These cells differentiate to form the different cell lines, each of which lead to a particular type of formed element

G. Blood Groups

The blood groups are named based upon the antigens found in their blood.There are only two types of antigens: A and B

There are antibodies in the plasma that form early in life and react with the antigens not contained in blood

Blood type

antigen antibody

A A Anti-B

B B Anti-A

AB A & B Neither

O NONE Anti-A & Anti-B

A blood transfusion involves the introduction of blood from an alternate source. If the two blood types are not compatible, agglutination occurs creating a transfusion reaction

In a transfusion reaction, RBCs are destroyed, hgb and bilirubin enter the body eventually causing kidney failure and death

Compatibility

Blood type

Donate to

Receive from

A A & AB A & O

B B & AB B & O

AB AB ALL

O ALL O

Rh system

It was originally identified in, and named after, the Rhesus monkeyRh antigens are found on the RBC membranes

The presence of the Rh antigen is indicated by having a positive blood typeThe absence of the Rh antigen is indicated by a negative blood type

The antibodies (anti-Rh) for the antigens are not formed until the Rh-negative person becomes exposed to the antigen

Sensitization can occur through blood transfusions or through pregnancy.

During a first pregnancy, an Rh-negative female carrying an Rh-positive fetus, presents no major health risk.During delivery, the placental membrane may tear allowing the two bloods to mix

This exposure may sensitize the mother’s immune system causing her to create anti-Rh antibodies

In subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies, the antibodies will cross the placenta and cause agglutination with the fetal RBCs

This causes a condition called hemolytic disease or erythroblastosis fetalisBrain damage or death may result unless blood transfusions are performed before birth

If the situation is detected with the first pregnancy, sensitization can be avoided through treatment with a substance called RhoGAM

II. The Cardiovascular System

A. Structure of the Heart1. Pericardium

The outer covering of the heart

Layers of the pericardium:Parietal Pericardium: tough outermost layerVisceral Pericardium: innermost, thin layerPericardial Cavity: the space in between

2. Heart Wall

Consists of 3 layers:Epicardium: thin, outer membrane

Myocardium: middle layer forming the bulk of the heart; the primary functional tissueEndocardium: thin, inner layer

3. Heart Chambers

2 Atria:Superior chambersThin walledReceiving chambers for incoming bloodSeparated by interatrial septum

2 VentriclesInferior chambersThick walledServe as pumps for pushing blood out of the heartSeparated by interventricular septum

4. Heart Valves

Atrioventricular (AV) valvesAllow one-way flow of blood from the atria to the ventricles

They close during ventricular contractionTricuspid valve:Between the right atrium and right ventricleBicuspid or Mitral valve:Between the left atrium and left ventricle

Semilunar (SL) Valves

Allow the one-way flow of blood from the ventricles to the pulmonary trunk and aortaThey close during ventricular relaxation

Pulmonary valve:Between the right ventricle and the pulmonary trunkAortic valve:Between the left ventricle and the aorta

5. Blood Flow

Through the heart:Right atrium through the tricuspid valve toright ventricle

through the pulmonary valveto the lungs through the pulmonary arteriesblood re-enters the heart through the pulmonary veins intothe left atrium

through the mitral valve intothe left ventriclethrough the aortic valve intothe aorta

To the Heart

Right and left coronary arteries branch from the base of the aorta to supply the heart wall.

B. Physiology

1. Cardiac cycleContraction of both atriaContraction of both ventricles

Pressure changes following the contraction/relaxation cyclesprovides the force necessary to move the blood

2. Heart Sounds

LUB: AV valves closingDUB: SL valves closing

3. Regulation of heart activity

The heart does not require external stimulation for contractions to occurThere is an intrinsic regulating system within the heart wall

Specific pace-setting cells in heart muscle send electrical signals to adjacent cellsEvery cardiac muscle cell is initiated by these pace-setting cells

The main site of pace-setters is in the sinoatrial node.Because of this, the SA node is also known as the pacemaker as it initiates each cardiac cycle.

C. Blood Vessels

Tubes that carry bloodIncluding:arteries, arteriolescapillariesveins, venules

1. Arteries and Arterioles

Carry blood away from the heartMiddle layer has smooth muscles and elastic fibers

Because of this, arteries are able to contractand “flex” with the flow of blood

As arteries extend from the heart, they become progressively smallerbecoming arterioleswhich are much thinner Arterioles branch into tiny capillaries

2. Capillaries

The smallest vessels in the bodyThin-walled tubes that permit the exchange of materials between the blood and interstitial fluid

The capillary wall is composed of a single layer of flattened cellsCapillaries are so small that only one RBC can pass through at a time

Capillaries have pores that allow fluid from the bloodstream to leak through to the areas surrounding the cellsThis is interstitial fluid

3. Venules and Veins

Three-layered tubes that carry blood toward the heartCapillaries join to venules which enlarge to form veins

The walls of veins are much thinner than arteriesVeins contain less smooth muscle and elastic fibers than arteries

Because of this, veins are much less elastic and do not contract and flex as easily as arteries doThe large size of veins allows them to hold large amounts of blood

~65% of the total blood supply is within the veins at any given timeEven still…they are usually only partially filled and are slightly collapsed

At other times, veins may fill completely causing the wall to become distendedThis change in blood volume causes a corresponding change in blood pressure

Because of this, when the flow of blood reaches the veins from the venules, the pressure may not be high enough to push the blood upwards towards the heart

To maintain a one-way direction of blood movement,

1. Veins contain valves similar to the semilunar valves of the heart

2. Respiratory and skeletal muscles “squeeze” veins preventing the backflow of blood

D. Circulatory Pathways

I. Pulmonary circulationThe pathway between the heart and the lungsThe purpose of this pathway is for the oxygenation of blood

Blood lower in oxygen and higher in CO2 leaves the heart from:

1. the right ventricle2. through the pulmonary

semilunar valve3. to the pulmonary trunk

4. which branches into the right and left pulmonary arteries

5. Which branch into smaller arteries,

6. then into arterioles, 7. then into pulmonary

capillaries

8. which form networks that surround the air sacs of the lungs

9. Gas exchange occurs between the pulmonary capillaries and the air sacs…O2 is loaded onto the RBCs and CO2 is released

10.pulmonary capillaries drain into venules which unite to form the two pulmonary veins exiting each lung

11. the four pulmonary veins enter the left atrium

II. Systemic Circulation

The vessels that extend from the left ventricle through the body to the right atrium of the heartproviding fresh blood to all body tissues (except the lungs)

Bringing:oxygenated bloodnutrients from the digestive tracthormones from endocrine glandsenzymes and proteinsWBCs to fight infectionto the tissues

Taking:Carbon dioxidenonprotein nitrogenous wasteaway from the tissues

1. Blood leaves the left ventricle

2. through the aortic semilunar valve

3. into the aorta4. through the thoracic

and abdominal cavities5. branching off

throughout the body

6. subdividing into arterioles and capillaries

7. joining together into venules, then veins

8. Draining into the superior and inferior vena cava

9. Which enter into the right atrium