Histology blood vessels

15 important questions on Histology blood vessels

What are the functions of the cardiovascular system?

  • Transport blood and plasma
  • Transport of O2/CO2, nutrients/waste material, hormones, etc

What is a vascular accident?

The disruption of blood supply to the tissues, this leads to shortage of O2 and nutrients (ischemia). When the tissue dies (necrosis), you speak of an infarct.

Blood vessels all have the same histological structures. What are these?

  1. Tunica intima
  2. Tunica media
  3. Tunica externa/adventitia
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What are the different types of arteries if you look from the heart to the capillaries?

  1. Elastic (conducting) arteries
  2. Muscular (distributing, medium) arteries
  3. Arterioles

Arteries can change in diameter. How?

  • By elasticity (response to heart beat)
  • By contraction (control speed blood circulation
    • Smooth muscle cells are innervated via the autonomic nervous system
    • Contraction leads to vasoconstriction
    • Relaxation leads to vasodilation

What are the different types of capillaries?

  • Continuous capillaries
  • Fenestrated capillaries
  • Sinusoids (discontinuous capillaries)

What are the characteristics of continuous capillaries?

  • No pores ('fenestrations')
  • Endothelial cells are bound together by tight junctions --> only small molecules (water, ions, peptides) can cross via active transport (endosomes) over the cell membrane. No passage of blood cells or plasma proteins.

Where do you find continuous capillaries?

  • Muscle
  • Connective tissue
  • Nervous system

What are the characteristics of fenestrated capillaries?

  • Large pores (60-80 nm), grouped
  • Exchange of water and small peptides (still have to go through basal lamina)

Where do you find fenestrated capillaries?

Fenestrated capillaries are for fast exchange between tissue and blood so you find these in the kidneys and intestines.

What are the characteristics of sinusoids (discontinuous capillaries)?

  • Large lumen (30-40 μm)
  • Many, large pores and gaps, without basal lamina
  • Free exchange (water, blood, proteins, immune cells)
  • No endosomes (endocytosis not needed --> can just go through the pores)
  • Macrophages between the endothelial cells (in gaps): removal of damaged cells and parasites

Where do you find sinusoids (discontinuous capillaries)?

  • Liver
  • Bone marrow
  • Lymph glands

How is the blood flow regulated through the capillary network?

Via sphincters. When the smooth muscle cells contract, the blood flow is less or even stopped (depending on how much contraction there is).

Veins have the comparable build up as arteries. However, there are some differences. What are these differences?

  • Thinner tunicae (lower blood pressure)
  • Larger lumen
  • Often with valves
  • No need for smooth muscle cells in venules

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins appear when the valves no longer allign (spataders).

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo