Premium Essay

Blood Vessels

In:

Submitted By joelbird2615
Words 512
Pages 3
Blood Vessels
Blood vessels are part of the circulatory system, which passes nutrients, blood, hormones, and other important substances to and from body cells in order to maintain homeostasis. The blood vessels are responsible for transporting blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Arteries
An artery is any of the vessels that, with one exception, carry oxygenated blood and nourishment from the heart to the tissues of the body. The exception, the pulmonary artery, carries oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs for oxygenation and removal of excess carbon dioxide. Arteries are muscular and elastic tubes that must transport blood under a high pressure exerted by the pumping action of the heart. The pulse, which can be felt over an artery lying near the surface of the skin, results from the alternate expansion and contraction of the arterial wall as the beating heart forces blood into the arterial system via the aorta.

Veins
Veins are similar to arteries but, because they transport blood at a lower pressure, they are not as strong as arteries. Like arteries, veins have three layers: an outer layer of tissue, muscle in the middle, and a smooth inner layer of epithelial cells. However, the layers are thinner, containing less tissue. Veins receive blood from the capillaries after the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide has taken place. Therefore, the veins transport waste-rich blood back to the lungs and heart. It is important that the waste-rich blood keeps moving in the proper direction and not be allowed to flow backward. This is accomplished by valves that are located inside the veins. The valves are like gates that only allow traffic to move in one direction. The vein valves are necessary to keep blood flowing toward the heart, but they are also necessary to allow blood to flow against the force

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Blood Vessel Case Study

...Blood vessel Case study 1. Trace blood flow from the L popliteal vein to the lungs? Left popliteal vein to Left femoral vein to external iliac vein to common iliac vein to inferior vena cava to right atrium to tricuspid valve to right ventricle to pulmonary valve to pulmonary artery to lungs. 2. What is a DVT and why is heparin prescribed? A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body which can lead to a serious condition. Typically, these blood clots form in your lower leg or thigh, but they can also form in other areas of the body. Heparin is an anticoagulant which will make her blood thinner and less of a risk for Jenny’s blood to clot. In Jenny’s case it will also keep her thrombus from growing in size and decrease her risk of developing more clots. 3. Explain what a PE is and why the physician is concerned that Jenny may develop this condition. A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a sudden blockage in a lung artery and is often a complication of a DVT. Which in Jenny’s case is a concern because her blood clot could break free and travel through the blood stream to the lungs and block an artery. If this was to happen and the clot was small, then Jenny could have some damage to her lungs. If the clot is large it could stop blood flow to the lungs and could cause death. 4. Jenny asks the physician if the DVT could lead to a heart attack and the physician says no. Explain why the physician is right. The physician...

Words: 354 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Exploring Excessive Angiogenesis Growth Factors

...Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis relates the migration, development, and discrimination of endothelial cells, which line the inside wall of blood vessels. The chemical signals in the body controlled the process of angiogenesis, these signals can irritate both the repair of damaged blood vessels and the formation of new blood vessels. Other chemical signals called angiogenesis inhibitors, which disturb the blood vessels formations. Angiogenesis occurs in our body for healing wounds and restoring blood flow to tissues after injury. Angiogenesis can cause many disease in our human body. There are two different kinds of angiogenesis, which are excessive and insufficient angiogenesis. Excessive angiogenesis...

Words: 527 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

...While cardiovascular disease can refer to many different types of heart or blood vessel problems, the term is often used to mean damage caused to your heart or blood vessels by atherosclerosis (ath-ur-o-skluh-RO-sis), a buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries. This is a disease that affects your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and strong. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of this disorder. Atherosclerosis is also the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and it's often caused by an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, being overweight and smoking. All of these are major risk factors for developing atherosclerosis and, in turn, cardiovascular disease Symptoms of heart disease in your blood vessels (cardiovascular disease) Cardiovascular disease is caused by narrowed, blocked or stiffened blood vessels that prevent your heart, brain or other parts of your body from receiving enough blood. Cardiovascular disease symptoms can include: * Chest pain (angina) * Shortness of breath * Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms, if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed You might not be diagnosed with...

Words: 475 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Crude Oil

...GCSE ADDITIONAL SCIENCE B Additional Science B Unit 1 Modules B3, C3, P3 Specimen Paper Candidates answer on the question paper: Additional materials: ruler (cm/mm), calculator F Candidate Number B623/01 60 mins Candidate Name Centre Number TIME 60 mins INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES • • • • • • • • Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes above. Answer all the questions. Write your answers on the dotted lines unless the question says otherwise. Use blue or black ink. Pencil may be used for graphs and diagrams only. Read each question carefully and make sure you know what you have to do before starting your answer. There is a space after most questions. Use it to do your working. In many questions marks will be given for a correct method even if the answer is incorrect. Do not write in the bar code. Do not write in the grey area between the pages. DO NOT WRITE IN THE AREA OUTSIDE THE BOX BORDERING EACH PAGE. ANY WRITING IN THIS AREA WILL NOT BE MARKED. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES • • The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question. The total number of marks for this paper is 60. This specimen paper consists of 25 printed pages. © OCR 2005 Registered Charity Number: 1066969 BLANK PAGE Specimen Paper: Additional Science B 1 Answer all questions. Section 1 1. (a) Janet’s class is investigating the directions that roots and shoots grow. They grow bean seeds in jam jars. They put...

Words: 2225 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Homocysteine and the Cardiovascular System

...unconventional and overlooked (Dwivedi, Tripathi, Shukla, Khan, Chauhan, 2011). Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the body that helps to build and maintain tissue. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to endothelial damage to the blood vessels. This damage can lead to plaque formation, thus atherosclerosis can ensue (American Heart Association, 2012). Although there are many causes of hyperhomocysteinemia, research has shown that nutritional replacement has helped to lower the level. Folic acid and B vitamins have shown to decrease homocysteine levels and thus help decrease plaque formation. Patients with high levels of homocysteine are instructed to include folic acid and b vitamins in their diet, restrict methionine, and exercise. Homocysteine is an unconventional risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and can also be used as a risk marker (Milani & Lavi, 2008). Homocysteine and The Cardiovascular System Cardiovascular disease involves all the diseases that affect the heart and vessels. There are many different diseases that affect the cardiovascular system. Atherosclerosis is one of these diseases. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of soft, fatty and fibrinous deposits in the arterial vessel walls. These deposits later harden with time. This process can later affect the vascular system resulting in ischemic changes (Huether, McCance, Brashers, & Rote, 2008). The pathophysiology behind atherosclerosis begins with injury to the...

Words: 1147 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Respiratory Disease

...system is arteriosclerosis, in which the fatty deposits in the arteries causes the walls to stiffen and thicken the walls. Major diseases afflicting the system circulatory system is a vast network of organs and vessels that is responsible for the flow of blood, nutrients, oxygen and other gases, and hormones to and from cells. Coronary arteries feed the muscle tissue of the heart. Is also the narrow or blockage of the coronary arteries? Hollow tubes are how the coronary arteries are shaped that the blood can flow freely through. At a very young age are gone coronary artery disease starts. Steaks of blood vessel walls fat start showing up at teen years. Many people who stroke are told to stop because is reducing your risk factor. United States is leading in heart disease cause death among men and women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Coronary artery disease affects 16.8 million Americans. The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that about every 34 seconds, an American will have a heart attack. In addition, the lifetime risk of having cardiovascular disease after age 40 is 2 in 3 men and more than 1 in 2 women. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/disorders/cad/understandingcad) Plaque supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. Reference: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/disorders/cad/understandingcad...

Words: 271 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Biol2 June 2009

...any work you do not want to be marked. Information G G G G The maximum mark for this paper is 85. The marks for questions are shown in brackets. Quality of Written Communication will be assessed in all answers. You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use accurate scientific vocabulary where appropriate. (JUN09BIOL201) APW/Jun09/BIOL2 BIOL2 2 Areas outside the box will not be scanned for marking Answer all questions in the spaces provided. 1 The diagram shows some of the large blood vessels in a mammal. A E Heart C B Liver D Small intestine 1 (a) Add arrows to the diagram to show the direction of blood flow in each of the blood vessels A to E. (1 mark) 1 (b) (i) Which of blood vessels A to E is the hepatic portal vein? (1 mark) 1 (b) (ii) Which of blood vessels A to E contains blood at the lowest pressure? (1 mark) (02)...

Words: 2689 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Pex-05-01

...Name: Suzzanna Stevens Exercise 5: Cardiovascular Dynamics: Activity 1: Studying the Effect of Blood Vessel Radius on Blood Flow Rate Lab Report Pre-lab Quiz Results You scored 100% by answering 5 out of 5 questions correctly. 1. Blood flow is measured in You correctly answered: b. ml/min. 2. Which of the following has the greatest effect on blood flow? You correctly answered: a. blood vessel radius 3. Which of the following would not result in a decrease in the blood vessel radius? You correctly answered: c. vasodilation 4. The diameter of the blood vessel is the same as You correctly answered: b. two times the radius of the blood vessel. 5. The opening of the blood vessel where the blood flows is called the You correctly answered: b. lumen. 03/30/16 page 1 Experiment Results Predict Question: Predict Question 1: What do you think will happen to the flow rate if the radius is increased by 0.5 mm? Your answer : b. The flow rate will increase. Predict Question 2: Do you think a graph plotted with radius on the X-axis and flow rate on the Y-axis will be linear (a straight line)? Your answer : b. no Stop & Think Questions: What is the driving force for blood flow? You correctly answered: b. pressure gradient How does the body increase the blood vessel radius? You correctly answered: c. smooth muscle relaxation Experiment Data: Flow (ml/min) 4.0 12.6 30.7 63.6 117.8 201.0 321.9 490.6 Radius (mm) 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 ...

Words: 603 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sjadlkh

...cholesterol and fatty deposits (called plaques) on the inner walls of the arteries. These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle by physically clogging the artery or by causing abnormal artery tone and function. Without an adequate blood supply, the heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly. This can cause chest pain called angina. If blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle is cut off entirely, or if the energy demands of the heart become much greater than its blood supply, a heart attack (injury to the heart muscle) may occur. Your coronary arteries are shaped like hollow tubes through which blood can flow freely. The muscular walls of the coronary arteries are normally smooth and elastic and are lined with a layer of cells called the endothelium. The endothelium provides a physical barrier between the blood stream and the coronary artery walls, while regulating the function of the artery by releasing chemical signals in response to various stimuli. Coronary artery disease starts when you are very young. Before your teen years, the blood vessel walls begin to show streaks of fat. As you get older, the fat builds up, causing slight injury to your blood vessel walls. Other substances traveling through your blood stream, such as inflammatory cells, cellular waste products, proteins and calcium begin to stick to the vessel walls. The fat and other substances combine to form a material calledplaque. Over time, the inside of the...

Words: 3334 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

The Deadliest Disease in the World

...Sean Sheldon Professor Keiter SCIN132 9/20/15 The Deadliest Disease in the World Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most deadly disease in the world. CAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries causing blood clots and restricting the heart of oxygen. CAD is the number one cause of death in the United States and the world. Medications and treatments are available but nothing can take the place of being proactive and preventing the disease. ("What Is Coronary Heart Disease?") Coronary artery disease is caused when cholesterol containing deposits of plaque buildup inside the arteries that supply blood to your heart. As the plaque builds up, it begins to narrow your arteries, decreasing the amount of blood flow to your heart. The plaque often attracts other fibrous tissue such as calcium and blood components which further harden the artery by causing blood clots to form. Over time, the decreased blood flow will cause shortness of breath, chest pain and even heart attack. ("What Is Coronary Heart Disease?") According to the center of disease control, heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the United States, killing over 780,000 people every year. Specifically, coronary artery disease is responsible for killing over 380,000 people per year. ("Heart Disease: Scope and Impact") Cardiovascular disease takes more lives than all forms of cancer combined. Furthermore, someone will have a heart attack every 34 seconds in the United States, and every 60 seconds someone...

Words: 832 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Tech Article

...down. Researchers have bashed t with hammers, bent it, kicked it, and even doused it with water, all to no avail. Although it seems like a very small invention, the meshworm has caught the attention of everyone from Johns Hopkins to DARPA. DARPA is the US military’s advanced research arm, and it has expressed an interest in meshworm for reconnaissance and surveillance. The durable nickel-titanium design appeals to the military, and because it is so small it could go unnoticed while it wiggles through keyholes or lays invisible in any crack or crevasse. The Meshworm could have a huge impact on the medical industry. Medical engineers are already imagining the tenacious little robot navigating intestinal tracts, and maybe large blood vessels eventually. The worms could carry cameras inside of a patient to give surgeons sight, or they might physically break up blockage inside of a patient. There are two quick applications for the little worm, but if you give the worm a few years in the public consciousness, the will scheme up many more practical and business applications for this new...

Words: 317 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Lamha

...Building a Model of the Excretory System Outcomes: Students will be expected to • Describe the structure and function of the major organs of the excretory system (302-5). Materials: • Body diagrams (showing the excretory system) and blank outlines of the human body. • Tag board or other sturdy paper on which to affix the model • Mini-marshmallows • Glue • Kidney beans • Cafeteria Straws • Scissors • Spaghetti (uncooked) • Red Yarn • Brown paper bags • Blue yarn Engage: Open with a class discussion on what the kids know about the Excretory System. What do they know about the Excretory System already? Explore: Working in small groups, provide each group with a brown bag full of materials that they will need to create their model. Write what each student needs to grab out of the bag. You can also provide this list on the whiteboard or overhead. Each student needs: • 3 kidney beans (kidneys) • 3 spaghetti pieces (urethra) • 2 marshmallows (bladder) • 2 straw pieces (urethra) • 2 pieces of yarn (veins) One of each item will be used for the key at the top of the tag board. It is helpful to have a model already assembled as a guide for the students. Explain: To assemble: • Glue the online of the human body onto tag board or heavy construction paper. • Glue the kidney beans in the appropriate place on the human body. Use a diagram of the excretory...

Words: 592 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Hello

...1. Blast/oma-a cancer made of immature cells ↓ ↓ Root suffix 2. Toxico/logy-study of poisons. ↓ ↓ Root suffix 3. Intra/venous-means to cut into a vein. ↓ ↓ Root suffix 4. An/phoria-not feeling or bearing. ↓ ↓ Root suffix 5. Psycho/genic-means produced by mind. ↓ ↓ Combining form suffix 6. Neuro/leptic-to seize hold of the nerve. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 7. An/orexia-means to have no appetite. ↓ ↓ Prefix suffix 8. Hypn/osis-the process of abnormal sleep. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 9. Cata/tonia-means down muscle tension. ↓ ↓ Prefix suffix 10. Psych/osis-having an abnormal mind. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix ↓ ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 11. Fascio/tomy-process of cutting muscle. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 12. Leiomy/oma-swelling of muscle that lines walls of internal organs. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 13. A/trophy-to be without nourishment. ↓ ↓ Prefix suffix 14. Multi/para-a women that has been pregnant more than once. ↓ ↓ Prefix suffix 15. Chrion/ic-pertaining to chorion. ↓ ↓ C/F suffix 16. Aero/bio/logy-study...

Words: 755 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Living Organisms

...| The Effects of Methylmercury in Fish | | | Nicole Lange | 4/4/2011 | | Nicole Lange Topic Paper SPEA H316 April 4, 2011 The Effects of Methyl Mercury in Fish Living Organisms, such as Fish, have the capacity to methylate mercury compounds present in pollution. Mercury is most commonly found in industrial waste, mine tailings, agricultural drain water impoundments, and atmospheric disposition from electrical power. The effects of methyl mercury found in fish have more negative than positive effects on our diet and environment. With the growing pollution in our City Rivers and other areas mercury found in fish is becoming more of an anomaly. With many studies it has been proven that the effects of methyl mercury can be devastating in certain situations and in others has somewhat of a positive outcome, however the positives are not from in taking methyl mercury, the only benefits are from eating the proper servings suggested by the American Heart Association. With my research on whether you should cut back in consuming fish because of the contaminates they may carry have been based more on emotion than fact. However, I have found many useful facts that have left me with the conclusion that living aquatic organisms, such as fish, hold great nutrition when measured in appropriate servings for your diet. Even with the threat of methyl mercury in fish it still is a part of a healthy diet. Fish and other aquatic organisms are the major sources of healthful...

Words: 1430 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Cardiovascular Disease

...Cardiovascular disease is known as a disease that affects the heart or blood vessel within the heart. Cardiovascular is one of the biggest causes in deaths all over the world. Cardiovascular can affect families with medical family history, smokers, obesity, age, gender and people with breast cancer. Men and women are exposed to this disease and there is treatment available for this disease. A cardiovascular symptom ranges from chest pain, discomfort, aching, burning, and squeezing. Other symptoms involve unusual feeling in the arms, jaws, back, neck, and throat. Other forms of cardiovascular episode are shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, faster heartbeat, weakness or dizziness, nausea, and sweating. These symptoms can be indications to having a cardiovascular episode within that person body. Management for cardiovascular disease is different treatment such as dieting, surgery, or medication to prevent an episode of having a cardiovascular attack. Many cardiovascular attacks can range from heart attacks, irregular heartbeats or even death. If you have a strong medical family history the best management for prevent cardiovascular is to have healthy dieting and annual health visits to monitor your health. Prevention can come in many ways than one such as visits to your doctor, exercising, and healthy eating. Prevent awareness is always offered in local communities or doctors’ office. Knowing your blood pressure can also help with this disease along with not smoking. Maintain...

Words: 333 - Pages: 2