Cardiovascular System: Circulation Pathways and Lymphatics Comparative Anatomy Tony Serino, Ph. D. Biology Department Misericordia Univ.
Blood Vessels • Arteries –conduct blood away from heart – Elastic arteries, Muscular arteries, arterioles • Veins –conduct blood toward heart – Venules, small and large veins • Capillaries –thinnest blood vessel; used in exchange, is the functional unit of circulatory system (Microcirculation) – AV shunts, metarterioles, pre-capillary sphincters, and capillary bed
Blood Vessels Types
Arteries and Veins • Arteries are known as resistance vessels, especially the arterioles – Arteries withstand the greatest BP • Veins are capacitance vessels, they are able to change the diameter to hold more or less blood
Vessel Anatomy
Capillary Anatomy Three types: tight, fenestrated and sinusoids
Capillary Bed (blood flowing)
Capillary Bed (blood shunted)
Atherosclerotic plaque
Venous Side
Skeletal Muscle Pump
Lymphatic Circulation • Drains tissue fluid (interstitial fluid) • Prevents edema • Filters the lymph • Returns clean lymph to circulation at junction of subclavian and jugular veins