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18: The Cardiovascular System - Blood Vessels and Circulation

  • Page ID
    61613
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    Learning Objectives
    • Compare and contrast the anatomical structure of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins
    • Accurately describe the forces that account for capillary exchange
    • List the major factors affecting blood flow, blood pressure, and resistance
    • Describe how blood flow, blood pressure, and resistance interrelate
    • Discuss how the neural and endocrine mechanisms maintain homeostasis within the blood vessels
    • Describe the interaction of the cardiovascular system with other body systems
    • Label the major blood vessels of the pulmonary and systemic circulations
    • Identify and describe the hepatic portal system
    • Describe the development of blood vessels and fetal circulation
    • Compare fetal circulation to that of an individual after birth

    • 18.1: Introduction to the Cardiovascular System - Blood Vessels and Circulation
      In this chapter, you will learn about the vascular part of the cardiovascular system, that is, the vessels that transport blood throughout the body and provide the physical site where gases, nutrients, and other substances are exchanged with body cells. When vessel functioning is reduced, blood-borne substances do not circulate effectively throughout the body. As a result, tissue injury occurs, metabolism is impaired, and the functions of every bodily system are threatened.
    • 18.2: Structure of Blood Vessels
      Blood is carried through the body via blood vessels. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart, where it branches into ever-smaller vessels. Eventually, the smallest arteries, vessels called arterioles, further branch into tiny capillaries, where nutrients and wastes are exchanged, and then combine with other vessels that exit capillaries to form venules, small blood vessels that carry blood to a vein, a larger blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.
    • 18.3: Circulatory Pathways
      Virtually every cell, tissue, organ, and system in the body is impacted by the circulatory system. This includes the generalized and more specialized functions of transport of materials, capillary exchange, maintaining health by transporting white blood cells and various immunoglobulins (antibodies), hemostasis, regulation of body temperature, and helping to maintain acid-base balance. In addition to these shared functions, many systems enjoy a unique relationship with the circulatory system.


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