Organization of Vascular System

Heart

Arterial system

Venous system

Capillaries

 The heart propels blood through the elaborate system of arteries. They branch extensively, gradually diminish in diameter until they reach the capillaries. Capillaries are sites of metabolic exchange between the vascular system and other tissues of the body. The capillaries converge to form venous vessels. They increase in diameter as they course toward the heart.

 The fluid

leaves the confines of the capillaries.

percolates through the tissue interstitium is collected by lymphatic vessels returned to the veins. The walls of the vascular system are organized into three tunics (coats or layers). (except lymphatics,blood capillaries, and postcapillary venules)

The different types of blood vessels are distinguished from one another by the composition of each of these layers. by the thickness of each of these layers relative to the diameter of the vessels. The diameter of a blood vessel is easily decided by estimating the number of erythrocytes (about 7 in diameter) necessary to span its lumen

The general characteristics of the three layers are 1.Tunica intima the endothelium and basal lamina. It regulates the movement of materials into and out of the vascular lumen. thin layer of connective tissue. A fenestrated the internal elastic membrane.

2.Tunica media- layers of smooth muscle cells that are arranged in a spiral.. The thickness is correlated with the amount of blood pressure exerted on the vessel wall .

Tunica adventitia Connective tissue with fibroblasts. Comprises relatively smaller proportion of arterial walls. relatively larger proportion of venous walls. Vasa vasorum- system of small vessels in large blood vessels. Vasoactive nerve fibres.

Arteries- Elastic arteries

Ventricular outflow from the heart is conducted

through aorta and pulmonary arteries.

These vessels and their main branches

(common carotids, brachiocephalic, subclavian

common carotids) are classified as elastic arteries - large amount of elastin in their walls. are distinguished by large diameter(>10mm) unique tunica media.

 The elastic walls of these arteries expand blood is ejected from the heart during systole. these stretched walls return to their original diameter continuing the propulsion of blood. This activity results in a more constant velocity of blood flow. Tunica intima endothelium thick supporting layer of connective tissue. internal elastic lamina- inconspicuous due to the large number of elastic laminae in tunica media.

Tunica media: consists of concentrically arranged smooth muscle cells separated by fenestrated sheets of elastin. about 70 layers seen in the aorta of an adult. fibroblasts are not found in the tunica media. Tunica adventitia typically no more than half as thick as media. fibroblasts secrete collagen and elastin fibers. Vasa vasorum and Nervi vascularis are present

Muscular arteries vessels range from 0.1-10 mm in diameter. an internal elastic lamina is present. Smooth muscle cells are the main components of the tunica media. Tunica intima

- the endothelium

thin layer of connective tissue an internal elastic lamina. internal elastic lamina often appears wavy due to contraction by the surrounding smooth muscle.

Tunica media

conspicuous due to the layers (3 in small arteries to

40 in large arteries) of smooth muscle cells. Tunica adventitia layer contains collagen fibers, elastic fibers and fibroblasts. In larger arteries an external elastic lamina present between media and adventitia. tunica adventitia is usually about the same thickness as the tunica media.

Muscular or medium sized artery.

Arterioles: Arterioles are 10-100 in diameter and have 1-2 layers of smooth muscles in the tunica media thin internal elastic lamina is

inconsistently present.
The adventitia is thin and poorly organized. Arterioles regulate the flow of blood to capillary beds. Neural stimulation of the precapillary sphincter reduces blood flow to a specific specific region. In this way diverted to areas that require increased rates of blood flow.

Capillaries the smallest blood vessels (4-10 diameter) and are often just wide enough to permit an erythrocyte to squeeze through. possess neither a tunica media nor a tunica adventitia. fluid is lost from the capillaries and percolates through interstitial spaces.

Capillaries

classified as

continuous
fenestrated discontinuous according to their endothelium Continuous capillaries endothelium forms a continuous layer around the circumference of the lumen. pinocytotic vesicles commonly present shuttle materials across the endothelium. found in skeletal muscle andcentral nervous system .

 Pericytes - undifferentiated cells found in contact with the endothelial cells

are enclosed within the endothelial cell basal lamina. Fenestrated capillaries endothelium is perforated by fenestrations 80-100 nm diameter. fenestrations may be closed by a thin diaphragm. also have pinocytotic vesicles. found in endocrine glands, gastrointestinal tract

Discontinuous capillaries (sinusoids): vessels typically have a larger lumen than the preceding types. show wide gaps between adjacent endothelial cells. endothelial basal lamina may be focally deficient or completely absent. found in liver spleen and bone marrow

Veins tunics in the walls of veins are not as clearly defined as in the walls of arteries. walls of veins are thinner more distensible than arteries of the same diameter. lumina of veins are often partially collapsed. Many veins have valves that allow blood flow in one direction only. Valves are formed from folds of endothelium supported by small amounts of connective tissue.

Postcapillary venules -(10-50 in diameter)

receive blood from capillary beds. tunica media or tunica adventitia.

walls consist of endothelium and pericytes without a distinguished from capillaries by their larger diameter. are the principal sites of leukocyte emigration from the vasculature. fluid is lost from the circulation to interstitial tissue in these vessels.

Muscular venules -(50-100 in diameter): Tunica intima: This layer consists of endothelium and pericytes. Tunica media: consists of 1-2 layers of smooth muscle. Tunica adventitia -This layer is thicker than the media and includes connective tissue and elastic fibres.

Small and medium sized veins- (0.1-10 mm) Tunica intima: endothelium thin subendothelial layer contain connective tissue and few smooth muscle cells. thin internal elastic membrane present. Tunica media

circularly arranged smooth muscle cells. it is much thinner than arteries with same caliber. cells are not as tightly packed as seen in arteries. longitudinal bundles of elastin present.

Tunica adventitia thicker than the media contains collagen fibers and elastic fibers Larger ones of this type have longitudinally oriented bundles of smooth muscles.

Large veins (diameter greater than 10 mm):

Tunica intima

endothelium

thin connective tissue layer containing smooth muscle cells. intima often is not distinct from media.

Tunica media-

contains only 2-15 layers of smooth muscle despite

a vessel diameter of 1 cm or more. in some veins media is absent. Tunica adventitia connective tissue layer contains longitudinally arranged smooth muscles, collagen fibers, elastic fibres. adventitia is thicker than media