Circulatory System

Question 1

What are the 5 main functions of blood?

Answer 1

1. Transportation: carries water, oxygen, food and secretions to all cells
2. Waste Elimination: carries away CO2 and waste products to be eliminated through the lungs, skin, kidneys and large intestine
3. Heat regulation: helps equalize body temp, avg. human body temp is 37 degrees Celsius. protects from extreme heat and cold
4. Fights disease: white blood cells aid in protecting the body from harmful bacteria and infections
5. Clotting: forms clots that close injured blood vessels and prevent blood loss

Question 2

Define hematology

Answer 2

the study of blood

Question 3

what makes up the blood?

Answer 3

plasma-fluid, red corpuscles, white corpuscles and platelets

Question 4

describe plasma fluid and its function

Answer 4

• formed from digested food and water
• straw-coloured, fluid part of the blood
• consists of protein, salt minerals and 90% water.

function: transports waste

Question 5

describe red corpuscles and their function

Answer 5

• AKA red blood cells or erythrocytes
• contains hemoglobin protein that binds to oxygen (oxyhemoglobin), also causes red colour
• carries CO2 back to lungs
• formed in red bone marrow

function: circulation–carries oxygen to all cells and CO2 back to the lungs

Question 6

describe white corpuscles and their function

Answer 6

• AKA white blood cells or leukocytes
• colourless and much larger than red blood cells
• produced in yellow marrow of long bones, the spleen and lymph glands

function: protect the body against disease by fighting harmful bacteria and infection

Question 7

decribe blood platelets and their function

Answer 7

• AKA thrombocytes
• colourless, irregular bodies much smaller than red blood cells

function: clotting of blood

Question 8

what organs make up the circulatory system?

Answer 8

heart, blood, blood vessels, lymph and lymphatic vessels

Question 9

how many divisions does the vascular system have? name them.

Answer 9

2

1. blood vascular system
2. lymph vascular/lymphatic system

Question 10

describe the blood vascular system

Answer 10

Comprised of the heart and blood vessels for the circulation of blood through the arteries capillaries and veins

Question 11

describe the lymphatic system

Answer 11

consisting of lymph gland vessels that circulate lymph

Question 12

describe the heart

Answer 12

a cardiac muscle pump located in the chest cavity.

Question 13

in which direction does oxygenated blood flow?

Answer 13

away from the heart

Question 14

in which direction does deoxygenated blood flow?

Answer 14

towards the heart

Question 15

pericardium

Answer 15

• a triple layered, fluid-filled sac that encloses the heart
• rests on & attached to the diaphragm
• produces a lubricating fluid called serous/pericardial fluid

Question 16

pericardial/serous fluid

Answer 16

• produced by the membranes of the pericardium

- allows the heart to beat easily in a relatively frictionless environment

Question 17

what three layers comprise the heart’s walls? describe them

Answer 17

1. Epicardium (superficial)
   - both part of the pericardium and the heart wall
2. Myocardium (middle)
   - cardiac muscle tissue, making up the bulk of the heart
   - responsible for pumping blood through the body
3. Endocardium (deep)
   - thin layer of endothelium overlaying a thin layer of connective tissue
   - provides a smooth lining for the inside of the heart

Question 18

how many chambers does the heart of have? describe them

Answer 18

4

• 2 atria (sing.atrium), receiving chambers
• 2 ventricles, discharging chambers

normal heartbeat: 2 atria contract and two ventricles relax, 2 ventricles contract and 2 atria relax

right atrium and ventricle (right heart) = pulmonary circuit, pumping blood to the lungs

left atrium and ventricle (left heart) = systemic circuit, pumping blood to the rest of the body

Question 19

how many valves does the heart have? describe them

Answer 19

4

• bicuspid/mitral valve, consists of two cusps or flaps
• tricuspid valve has three cusps
• pulmonary and aortic semilunar valves guard the bases of 2 large arteries leaving the ventricular chambers

Question 20

define systole and diastole

Answer 20

systole: a phase of contraction
diastole: a phase of relaxation

Question 21

what is the septum?

Answer 21

muscle tissue that divides the heart longitudinally, separating it into the left and right chambers

Question 22

what is coronary circulation?

Answer 22

the process through which the heart is nourished with oxygen and nutrients by the right and left coronary arteries and drained by the cardiac veins

Question 23

describe pulmonary circulation

Answer 23

blood is pumped by the heart to the lungs where it is purified then pumped back to the heart.

-Gas exchange:
inhalation = oxygen absorbed, exhalation = CO2 expelled

CO2 blood enters right atrium via inferior & superior cava > CO2 blood exits right ventricle via pulmonary semi-lunar valve > pulmonary arteries > lungs for oxygenation

Oxygenated blood exits lungs via pulmonary veins > left atrium > systemic circulation

Question 24

describe general/systemic circulation

Answer 24

Oxygenated blood exits left atrium via bicuspid/mitral valve > left ventricle > oxygenated blood exits left ventricle via aortic semi-lunar valve > aorta > oxygenated blood distributed to every organ and tissue

Question 25

describe the path blood travels throughout the body during circulation

Answer 25

heart > arteries > arterioles > capillaries > venule > vein > heart

Question 26

arteries

Answer 26

- thick-walled, muscular and elastic vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to arterioles - 2 important functional properties: elasticity and contractibility * oxygenated blood in arteries appears red

Question 27

arterioles

Answer 27

- very small, almost microscopic arteries that deliver blood to capillaries - regulate blood flow from arteries into capillaries

Question 28

capillaries

Answer 28

- microscopic vessels that branch off arterioles and connect them to venules - one-celled epithelial tissue that services all tissues of the body *anastomosis occurs here

Question 29

anastomosis

Answer 29

the exchange of nutrients, chemicals, oxygen, and waste products at the union of the capillaries that lead to the venules

Question 30

the venous system

Answer 30

a complex network of veins and venules through which blood returns to the heart and lungs for a recharge of oxygen

Question 31

venule

Answer 31

- when several capillaries unite into a small vein | - collect deoxygenated blood containing waste products from the capillaries and drain into veins

Question 32

vein

Answer 32

- a vessel that transports deoxygenated blood away from the tissues and organs and back toward the heart (except pulmonary vein) - consist of thin walls with no elastic, larger in diameter and closer to the surface than arteries

Question 33

vena cava inferior

Answer 33

the main vein draining the blood from the lower portion of the body

Question 34

vena cava superior

Answer 34

the main vein draining the blood from the upper portion of the body

Question 35

what are some of the functions of the lymphatic system? (name its primary function + 3 more)

Answer 35

primary function: drain lymphatic fluid, produce, maintain and distribute lymphocytes - drain excess interstitial fluid - transports lipids and lipid-soluble vitamins absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract to the blood - carries out immune responses - maintain blood volume by returning the interstitial fluid seeping out of the capillary walls back to the circulatory system - carry nourishment from blood to cells - remove waste from blood and cells - creates a sutable fluid environment for cells - reduce swelling, inflammation, and accumulations in the blood vessels

Question 36

what are the major organs of the lymphatic system?

Answer 36

lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, tonsils, bone marrow

Question 37

lymph nodes

Answer 37

small structures that purify lymph, removing antigens and toxins, before it returns to circulation

Question 38

where are the major lymph nodes located?

Answer 38

base of the neck, axillae (armpits), groin, and abdomen -filter lymph from head, arms, legs, and intestinal tract

Question 39

thymus gland

Answer 39

- main organ of the lymphatic system - main function: promotes the development of T-lymphocytes - produces hormones that promote growth and maturation

Question 40

t-lymphocytes

Answer 40

- responsible for an immune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection (cell-mediated-immunity) - develop and mature in the thymus and are transported via blood vessels to the lymph nodes and spleen

Question 41

spleen

Answer 41

- primary function: filters damaged cells, cellular debris and pathogens out of the blood - houses and aids in the maturation of lymphocytes - largest organ of the lymphatic system

Question 42

tonsils

Answer 42

- help prevent foreign objects from slipping into the throat - produce antibodies to prevent pathogens from entering the respiratory and digestive system

Question 43

bone marrow

Answer 43

- soft flexible tissue found inside bone that produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets - bone marrow stem cells generate certain types of lymphocytes, aiding in immunity

Question 44

atherosclerosis

Answer 44

- hardening of the arteries resulting from fibro-fatty lesions in the arteries - aggravated by cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes, which may result in blood clots, organ damage and death

Question 45

aneurysm

Answer 45

- a localized dilation of the blood vessel that can occur in arteries and veins - can rupture, causing an interruption in blood flow which may lead to a stroke

Question 46

varicose veins

Answer 46

- enlarged, swollen, twisted veins that occur when the valves in these veins become weak, damaged, or cease to function, resulting in the vein dilating and blood pooling in the vein - almost always seen in the legs and feet - main causes are heredity, obesity, pregnancy, and constantly being on your feet * do not massage over a varicose vein

Question 47

venous thrombosis (thrombophlebitis)

Answer 47

- the presence of a thrombus (clot) in a vein and the accompanying inflammatory response in the veins walls - most common in the calf - often painful and tender, may feel heat, however if the the affected vein is deep enough in the leg there may be no obvious symptoms * no massage of any kind should be performed if thrombosis is suspected

Question 48

hypertension

Answer 48

- AKA high blood pressure, a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the walls of the arteries is higher than normal - the leading factor for cardiovascular disorders, uncontrolled hypertension produces increased strain on the heart, leading to hardening of the arteries, kidney disease etc. * no heat should be applied to clients with hypertension. stay away from saunas, steam and heat packs

Question 49

hypotension

Answer 49

- postural hypostension is an abnormal drop in blood pressure when a person gets up from lying down. assist and support the client while they are rising - hypotension can be caused by pregnancy, certain medications, certain health conditions, etc.

Question 50

angina

Answer 50

-chest pain associated with deficiency of blood going to the heart, usually caused by blockages of the arteries to the heart and may be brought on by exertion or stress. often mistaken for indigestion

Question 51

myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Answer 51

occurs when the heart is completely deprived of blood. cardiac muscles die and damage occurs, and the person may not survive the attack if not treated promptly

Question 52

cardiovascular accident (stroke)

Answer 52

an acute, local neurological deficit from an interruption of blood flow in a blood vessel in the brain, causing brain cell death