THE CARDIOVASCULAR

SYSTEM

Part 3:
BLOOD VESSELS

Human Anatomy & Physiology

 BLOOD VESSELS

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Blood Vessel LAYERS
1. Tunica intima
• innermost layer
• is the only part of a vessel that is
in contact with blood

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Blood Vessel LAYERS
1. Tunica intima
• is made of simple squamous
epithelium called endothelium
w/c is continuous w/ the
endocardium of the heart
• its smoothness prevents abnormal
blood clotting

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Blood Vessel LAYERS
2. Tunica media
• middle layer
• is made of smooth muscle &
elastic connective tissue
• controls the diameter of the
vessel’s lumen
• involved in the maintenance of
normal blood pressure

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Blood Vessel LAYERS
 
2. Tunica media
• relaxation of smooth muscle  
lumen diameter  vasodilation &
BP 
• contraction of smooth muscle 
 lumen diameter 
vasoconstriction & BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Blood Vessel LAYERS
3. Tunica externa
• also called tunica adventitia
• outer layer
• is important to prevent the
rupture or bursting of the larger
arteries that carry blood under
high pressure

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels

1. Arteries
2. Capillaries
3. Veins

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 PATHWAY of Blood in Blood
Vessels

Large
artery

Small
artery

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
1. Arteries
• carry blood from the heart to the
capillaries (where the exchange of
materials between the blood &
tissues take place)
• have higher pressures since they
directly arise from the heart

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
1. Arteries
• to withstand pressure, they have
thicker tunica media & externa
compared to veins

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
1. Arteries
• start as larger arteries & branch
off into smaller ones
• as they branch out, they usually
anastomose or connect w/ one
another to provide alternate routes
for the flow of blood called
collateral circulation, if one vessel
becomes obstructed

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
• aorta
 the largest artery
 where all the large,
medium & small arteries
of the systemic
circulation arise from

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
• arterioles
 smallest, almost
microscopic, arteries
that branch off the
small arteries into
capillaries
 its smooth muscles
control the amount of
blood reaching the
capillaries
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
2. Capillaries
• the smallest of blood
vessels
• are thin-walled,
microscopic vessels
which connect the
arterioles & venules
(smallest veins)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
2. Capillaries
• they surround
almost every cell in
the body
• are more numerous
in the muscles, liver,
kidneys, & nervous
system

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
2. Capillaries
• only made up of
endothelium
• their thin walls
permit exchange of
substances between
blood & interstitial
fluid

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
2. Capillaries
• the rate of blood
flow in
capillaries is
slow to permit
sufficient time
for the exchange
of substances

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 Capillary Diffusion

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
3. Veins
• carry blood from capillaries back
to the heart
• have thinner tunica media &
externa compared to arteries
• their tunica intima contains
valves w/c prevent backflow of
blood (valves most numerous in
leg veins)
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
3. Veins
• they also anastomose to ensure
that blood will be able to return
to the heart in order to be
pumped again

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
• venules
 small, almost
microscopic, veins that
carry blood away
from the capillaries
toward the heart
 form larger veins as
they approach the
heart

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 TYPES of Blood Vessels
• venae cavae
 collective term for the
superior & inferior
vena cava
 the largest of all the
veins w/c return blood
back to the heart

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 PATHWAY of Blood in Blood
Vessels

Large
artery

Small
artery

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MECHANISMS that Promote
Venous Return
1. Vasoconstriction & Venous Valves
• the smooth muscles of the vein’s tunica
media can constrict to promote venous
return
• the vein’s valves prevent backflow of blood
& promote venous return against gravity

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MECHANISMS that Promote
Venous Return
2. Skeletal muscle pump
• contraction of the skeletal muscles
surrounding the veins causes “milking” of
the veins between these muscles which
squeeze blood towards the heart

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MECHANISMS that Promote
Venous Return
3. Respiratory pump
• affects veins that pass through the thoracic
cavity (e.g. inferior vena cava)
• this mechanism is based on the alternating
compression & decompression of veins

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MECHANISMS that Promote
Venous Return
3. Respiratory pump
• during inhalation, the diaphragm moves
downward causing a  intrathoracic
pressure & abdominal pressure; this
causes the veins in the abdominal cavity to
be compressed thus allowing blood to flow
into the decompressed thoracic veins

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 BLOOD PRESSURE
• also called hydrostatic
pressure
• the pressure exerted by
blood as it pulsates through
the blood vessel, generated
by the contraction of the left
ventricle

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 BLOOD PRESSURE
• it is highest in the aorta &
large systemic vessels
• it progressively falls as the
distance from the left
ventricle increases
• measured in terms of
millimeters mercury
(mmHg)
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 BLOOD PRESSURE
• in a resting, young adult, it
rises to about 110 mmHg
during systole & drops to
about 70 mmHg during
diastole

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 BLOOD PRESSURE
• 90-120 mmHg = normal
range for systolic BP in
adults
• 60-80 mmHg = normal
range for diastolic BP in
adults

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 BLOOD PRESSURE
• hypertension = refers to a
systemic BP consistently
higher than the normal
range
• hypotension = a lower than
normal systemic BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 DETERMINANTS of BLOOD
PRESSURE
1. Blood Volume
• BP depends greatly on the blood volume
or the cardiac output w/c is normally
about 5 liters
• any change in blood volume consequently
increases or decreases BP
•  blood volume   BP
•  blood volume   BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 DETERMINANTS of BLOOD
PRESSURE
2. Pumping Action of the Heart
• contractions weak   BP
• contractions strong  BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 DETERMINANTS of BLOOD
PRESSURE
3. Blood Viscosity
•  thickness of blood   BP
• the more are the formed elements, the
greater the blood viscosity

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 DETERMINANTS of BLOOD
PRESSURE
4. Peripheral Resistance
• refers to the opposition to
blood flow due to friction bet.
blood & the walls of the
blood vessels
•  resistance   BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 DETERMINANTS of BLOOD
PRESSURE
4. Peripheral Resistance
• depends on the size of the blood
vessel lumen
• vasoconstriction  BP
• vasodilation   BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
1. Autonomic Nervous System
• sympathetic stimulation   BP
• parasympathetic stimulation   BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA)
Mechanism
• renin  enzyme released by kidneys to
the bloodstream in response  BP, 
blood volume &  Na+
• angiotensinogen  a plasma protein
synthesized by the liver which splits to
become angiotensin I in the presence of
renin in the blood
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 RAA Mechanism

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA)
Mechanism
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 
released by the lungs; converts
angiotensin I to angiotensin II

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 RAA Mechanism

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA)
Mechanism
• angiotensin II  has 2 actions:
vasoconstriction & release of aldosterone
• aldosterone  hormone released by the
zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex;
causes Na+ reabsorption &  blood volume

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 RAA Mechanism

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
2. Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA)
Mechanism
• all these events result in Na+, blood
volume & thereby  BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
3. Epinephrine & Norepinephrine
•  heart rate & force of contractions
  cardiac output   BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 REGULATION of BLOOD
PRESSURE
4. ADH/Vasopressin
• release of ADH   water
reabsorption   blood volume 
 BP

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 AORTA
• exits from the left ventricle of the
heart & is the first artery in the
systemic circulation
• a continuous vessel divided into
sections that are named
anatomically: ascending aorta,
aortic arch, thoracic aorta, &
abdominal aorta

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
1. Ascending Aorta
• first division of the aorta w/c
curves upward from the left
ventricle of the heart
• right & left coronary arteries =
the only branches of the
ascending aorta; they supply the
myocardium of the heart

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR
BRANCHES of the
Aorta
2. Aortic Arch
• second division of the aorta w/c
arches to the left from the
ascending aorta
• has 3 branches namely the: (a)
brachiocephalic artery, (b) left
common carotid artery & (c) left
subclavian artery

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
2. Aortic Arch
• these 3 main branches & their
sub-branches supply blood to
different tissues & organs of the
head, neck & upper extremities

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
2. Aortic Arch
• where the baroreceptors &
chemoreceptors that help
regulate BP could be found

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
3. Thoracic Aorta
• third division of the aorta w/c plunges
downward from the aortic arch
through the thorax following the
spine
• its branches supply blood to the skin,
muscles, & bones of trunk as well as
the diaphragm & esophagus

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
4. Abdominal Aorta
• last division of the aorta w/c passes
through the diaphragm from the
thoracic aorta into the
abdominopelvic cavity
• its branches supply blood to the diff.
tissues & organs of the
abdominopelvic cavity & lower
extremities
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR BRANCHES
of the Aorta
4. Abdominal Aorta
• right & left common iliac arteries =
are the terminal branches of the
abdominal aorta w/c supply blood to
the lower extremities

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
1. Superficial temporal artery (left & right)
• arises from the aortic arch
• where the temporal pulse could be palpated
(just in front of the ear)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
2. Common carotid artery (left & right)
• arise from the aortic arch
• where the carotid pulse could be
palpated (just lateral to the larynx)
• should not be palpated together as
doing so may interrupt blood flow to the
brain

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
3. Brachial artery (left & right)
• arise from the aortic arch
• where the brachial pulse could be
palpated (just on medial portion of
antecubital space)
• commonly used for assessing blood
pressure

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
4. Radial artery (left & right)
• arise from the aortic arch
• where the radial pulse could be
palpated (just on thumb side of wrist)
• commonly used for assessing pulse
rate & for withdrawing an arterial
blood specimen

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
5. Femoral artery (left & right)
• arise from the abdominal aorta
• where the femoral pulse could be
palpated (just on inguinal area)
• commonly used entry site for cardiac
catheterization to gain access to the
coronary arteries

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
6. Popliteal artery (left & right)
• arise from the abdominal aorta
• where the popliteal pulse could be
palpated (just at the back of knee)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
7. Posterior tibial artery (left & right)
• arise from the abdominal aorta
• where the posterior tibial pulse could
be palpated (just behind the medial
malleolus)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR Peripheral ARTERIES
of the Systemic Circulation
8. Dorsalis pedis artery (left & right)
• arise from the abdominal aorta
• where the dorsalis pedis pulse could
be palpated (just on top of the foot over
the 1st metatarsal & medial cuneiform)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
1. Superior vena cava
• returns blood from the head,
neck, thorax & upper limbs to
the right atrium of the heart
• arises from the union of the
left & right brachiocephalic
veins (its direct tributaries)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
2. Inferior vena cava
• returns blood from the
abdomen, pelvis & lower limbs
to the right atrium

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
3. External jugular vein
• a tributary of the superior vena cava
• a superficial vein that descends
vertically through the neck on the
surface of the sternocleidomastoid
muscle
• drains blood to the subclavian vein
before it reaches the superior vena
cava
Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood
Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
3. External jugular vein
• distention of this vein may indicate
circulatory overload

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
4. Median cubital vein (left & right)
• a tributary of the superior vena cava
• a superficial vein on the upper limb
specifically on the antecubital space
• commonly used site for administering
substances intravenously or for
withdrawing venous blood specimen

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 MAJOR VEINS of the
Systemic Circulation
5. Great saphenous vein
• longest vein in the body
• a tributary of the inferior vena cava
• ascends along the medial side of the
entire limb to empty into the common
iliac vein which is a direct tributary of
the inferior vena cava

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
1. Circle of Willis
• a union of arteries at the base of the brain
around the pituitary gland
• an important arterial anastomosis which
facilitates continuous blood supply to the
brain by providing more than one route for
blood to reach brain tissue in case of a clot
or impaired blood flow in the system

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
1. Circle of Willis
• unites the brain’s anterior & posterior
blood supplies provided by the internal
carotid & vertebral arteries which are
branches of the aortic arch

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
1. Circle of Willis
• formed by the union of the following blood
vessels:
 Posterior communicating artery
 Anterior communicating artery
 Posterior cerebral artery
 Anterior cerebral artery

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
2. Hepatic Portal Circulation
• portal system = a vein that carries blood from
one capillary network to another

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
2. Hepatic Portal Circulation
• hepatic portal vein = formed by the union of
the splenic & superior mesenteric veins w/c
receives blood from the capillaries of the
digestive organs and delivers it to the liver

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
2. Hepatic Portal Circulation
• venous blood from the GIT organs & spleen,
rich in substances absorbed from the GIT, is
delivered to the hepatic portal vein & enters
the liver
• the liver processes all these substances before
they pass through the general circulation

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
2. Hepatic Portal Circulation
• at the same time, the liver receives
oxygenated blood via the hepatic artery
• the oxygenated blood mixes with the blood in
the capillaries of the liver and are ultimately
drained via the hepatic vein to the inferior
vena cava

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• exists only in the fetus & contains
special structures that allow the
developing fetus to exchange
materials with its mother
• the fetus obtains O2 & nutrients from
& eliminates CO2 & other wastes into
the maternal blood

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• placenta = a pancake-shaped organ at the
end of the umbilical cord through which
O2 & nutrients are obtained from the
mother’s uterus
• umbilical vein = carries O2-rich blood to
the fetus from the placenta

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• umbilical arteries = carries O2-poor blood
from the fetus back to the placenta
• blood from the umbilical vein bypasses the
immature fetal liver by flowing through
the ductus venosus w/c drains into the
inferior vena cava

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• blood bypasses the immature fetal lungs
by flowing from the pulmonary trunk
through the ductus arteriosus to the aorta
• blood also bypasses the fetal lungs by
flowing from the right to the left atrium
through the foramen ovale (an opening in
the interatrial septum)

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• after birth, the fetal circulation converts
into postnatal circulation when the
functions of the lung & liver begin

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 SPECIAL
CIRCULATIONS
3. Fetal Circulation
• ligamentum venosum = the remnant of the
ductus venosus
• ligamentum arteriosum = the remnant of
the ductus arteriosus
• fossa ovalis = the remnant of the foramen
ovale

Human Anatomy & Physiology Blood

Blood Vessels
Vessels
 THE CARDIOVASCULAR
SYSTEM

End of Part 3 !

Human Anatomy & Physiology