LAB 11 Practical Histology Cardiovascular system

 Introduction: The cardiovascular system is subdivided into two functional

parts

 Blood vascular system:

1. The blood vascular system distributes nutrients, gases, hormones to all parts of
the body; collects wastes produced during cellular metabolism.
2. The blood vascular system consists of a continuum of blood vessels (arteries,
arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins) and a muscular pump (heart).

 Lymph vascular system

1. The lymph vascular system collects tissue fluid from tissues and returns it to
the blood vascular system.
2. The lymph vascular system consists of blind-ended capillaries (lymphatic
capillaries) connected to venous vessels (lymphatic vessels) and various
lymphoid organs (e.g., lymph nodes).

 Organization of blood vascular system

1. The heart wall can be viewed as a three-layered structure.
a) Inner layer = endocardium
b) Middle Layer = myocardium
c) Outer layer = epicardium (also called the pericardium)
2. Except for the smallest vessels, blood and lymphatic vessel walls can also be
viewed as three-layered structures.
a) Inner layer = tunica intima
b) Middle layer = tunica media
c) Outer layer = tunica adventitia
 Structure of the heart wall
1. The endocardium is the inner layer of the heart wall and consists of the
endothelial lining and the underlying connective tissue layers.
2. The myocardium is the middle layer of the heart wall and contains the cardiac
muscle throughout most of the heart.
3. The epicardium is the outer layer of the heart and consists of a connective
tissue region covered by a mesothelium on its outer surface.
 Blood Vessels:
Most larger blood vessel walls contain three major layers with sublayering.
1. The tunica intima is the luminal layer, consist of endothelium (simple
squamous epithelium), subendothelial layer (loose connective tissues).
2. Internal elastic lamina (elastica interna) marks the boundary between the
tunica intima and the tunica media.
3. The tunica media contains layers of either elastic laminae/lamellae
(fenestrated sheets) or CT alternating with layers of smooth muscle.
4. If present, the external elastic lamina (elastica externa) marks the boundary
between the tunica media and the tunica adventitia.
5. The tunica adventitia contains loose to moderately dense CT.

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 LAB 11 Practical Histology Cardiovascular system

 Types of arteries
Character Large arteries (elastic Medium to small arteries Arterioles
arteries or conducting (muscular arteries)
arteries)

Tunica intima thin thin very thin consisting only of

endothelium

Internal elastic not as distinct as in other very distinct, usually folded usually present except in
lamina arteries smaller arterioles

Tunica media Thick 40 - 60 Thick 5 - 40 layers thin 1 to 5 layers

Tunica adventitia thin thick thin

Example aorta Branchial artery Coronary arteriole

Function conduct blood from the Regulate blood pressure and regulate blood pressure and
heart to smaller arteries blood distribution by deliver blood under low
and to even out blood contraction and relaxation of pressure to capillaries.
pressure and flow. smooth muscle in the tunica
media.

 Types of veins:

Character Large veins muscular venules Small to medium veins

Tunica intima thicker thin thin

Internal elastic usually distinguishable Absent Absent

lamina

Tunica media thin thin; 1 - 3 layers thin

Tunica adventitia very thick thick well developed

Example vena cava most named veins are in this found in many of the
category. lymphatic tissues.

Function collect blood from collect blood from post- collect blood from smaller
medium sized veins and capillary venules venous vessels
return it to heart

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 LAB 11 Practical Histology Cardiovascular system

 Differences between artery and vein

Artery Vein
carrying blood at high pressure carrying blood at very low pressure

Smooth muscle and/or elastic fibers predominate over Collagen fibers are relatively abundant among the
collagen fibers in tunica media smooth muscle cells in the tunica media

components are arranged circularly in tunica media - components arranged longitudinally - prevents excess
allows change in diameter to regulate blood pressure stretching of vessel wall
and blood flow

No valves Valves present; prevent backflow

Regular diameter, narrow lumen, and thick wall Irregular diameter, wide lumen, and thin wall

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