Path of Blood Systemic Circulation Left ventricle thru aortic semilunar valve (AV) into Aorta Aorta (largest artery) to smaller arteries then to arterioles Arterioles –capillaries (gas exchange)— venules Venules to veins to Superior/Inferior Vena Cava Superior/Inferior Vena Cava to Right Atrium Pulmonary Circulation Right atrium thru right atrioventricular valve to right ventricle Right ventricle thru pulmonary semilunar valve into pulmonary trunk Pulmonary trunk splits into right and left pulmonary arteries R/L pulmonary arteries to lungs where gas exchange occurs (gets rid of carbon dioxide, picks up more oxygen) Lungs to pulmonary veins Pulmonary veins to left atrium Left atrium thru left atrioventricular valve into left ventricle Left Atrioventricular Valve has 2 more names: Mitral Valve & Bicuspid Valve Right Atrioventricular Valve has one other name: Tricuspid valve
General Info about blood vessels A. Three layers 1. Tunica intima ( intera ) a . Inner most layer b . Endothelium i . Simple squamous c. Some larger vessels have subendothelium i . Loose connective tissue ii. Basement membrane 2. Tunica media a . Middle layer b. Circularly arranged smooth muscle c . Chemical and nervous control of degree of contraction i . Sympathetic NS d . Change in diameter i . Vasoconstriction ii. Vasodilation 3. Tunica adventitia (externa) a. Made of collagen fibers b. Function i . Protection ii. Reinforcement iii. Anchor to surrounding tissue c . Accessory tissues i . Nerve fibers ii. Lymphatic vessels iii. Elastic network iv. Tiny blood vessels within layer-vasa vasorum
Blood Vessels Arteries 3 Tunics Tunica intima ( endolithium ) Tunica media Tunica adventitia Capillaries Tunica Intima Only Made of simple squamous epithelium and a basement membrane called endolithium Veins All 3 tunics Formed from venules b. Thinner walls and less muscle than arteries c. Little muscle in media i . Mostly elastin d. Externa is thickest wall layer B. Capacitance vessels 1. Veins act as reservoirs a. Large lumens b. Low blood pressure allows walls to thin 2. Venous valves a. Prevent backflow b. Folds of interna
Your Heartbeat http:// my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/heart-blood-vessels-heart-beat Lub -sound of atrioventricular valves closing Dub-sound of semilunar valves closing