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Blood Vessels D. Matesic. Blood Vessels. Branching of arteries and veins and relation to lymphatic system Fig. 19.2. Figure 19.1. Blood Vessels. General structure of arteries and veins 3 layers- “tunics” 1. tunica intima - endothelium + loose CT
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Blood Vessels • Branching of arteries and veins and relation to lymphatic system • Fig. 19.2
Blood Vessels • General structure of arteries and veins • 3 layers- “tunics” • 1.tunica intima-endothelium + loose CT • 2.tunica media-smooth muscle + elastic fiber sheets • 3.tunica externa-connective tissue (mostly collagen fibers) • Most arterioles and venules also have 3 layers, but tunica media is thinner and smallest ones lack tunica externa
Capillary structure and transport mechanisms • Capillaries allow exchange of materials between the blood and tissues • Comprised of 2 layers: Endothelium, and basal lamina. • pericytes surround and help support the capillaries
Transport of materials acrosscapillaries occurs via: • 1. diffusion across endothelial cell membranes • 2. intercellular clefts – space between tight junctions • 3. fenestrations – pores • 4. vesicular transport –
Functions of endothelium • Physical lining of heart and blood vessels • Permeability barrier for exchange of substances between plasma and tissue interstitial fluid • Secrete paracrine agents that act as vasodilators and vasoconstrictors • Mediate angiogenesis (new capillary growth) • Regulate platelet clumping, clotting and anticlotting
Capillary Beds –interwoven networks of capillariesthat branch from terminal arterioles (via metarterioles) • precapillary sphincters control flow of blood through the capillary bed • after exchange of nutrients/fluids between the blood in the capillary bed and the tissue, blood flows into the postcapillary venules and ultimately • back to the heart.
Capillary Beds Fig 19.4 Not required
Vascular anastomoses Regions where vessels interconnect; provide alternate routes for blood to reach a given body part