1. List and explain the functions of circulatory system.
2. Classify and differentiate the circulatory system.
3. Describe briefly the heart.
4. Describe the differences between arteries, veins and
capillaries.
5. Describe the blood supply and innervation of blood
vessels.
6. Explain the terms anastomosis, end-arteries, vena-
comitantes, sinusoids, cavernous tissue & vascularity.
7. Describe the portal circulation & name the 2
locations
8. Describe the formation of lymph.
9. List down the lymphoid tissues.
10. Describe the lymphatic circulation.
11. List and explain the functions of lymphatic
circulation.
1. To conduct nutrients and oxygen to the tissue.
2. To remove waste materials by transporting
nitrogenous compounds to the kidneys and carbon
dioxide to the lungs.
3. To transport hormones to target organs & modulate
and integrate the internal milieu of the body.
4. To transport agents which serve the body in allergic,
immune and infectious responses.
5. To initiate clotting & thereby prevent blood loss.
6. To maintain body temperature.
7. To produce, carry and contain blood.
1. Heart.
2. Arteries.
3. Veins.
4. Capillaries.
1. SYSTEMIC (GREATER) CIRCULATION:
The blood flows from the left ventricle, through
various parts of the body, to the right atrium.
i.e. from the left to the right side of the body.
2. PULMONARY (LESSER) CIRCULATION:
The blood flows from the right ventricle, through the
lungs, to the left atrium
i.e. from the right to the left side of the heart.
1. SYSTEMIC ARTERIES= originating from the left side
of the heart (aorta) distribute oxygenated and
nutrient-rich blood to the body.
2. SYSTEMIC VENOUS = returns deoxygenated blood
to the heart.
3. PULMONARY ARTERIAL = delivers blood from the
right side of the heart to the lungs.
4. PULMONARY VENOUS = returns oxygenated blood
to the left side of the heart.
5. ARTERIES = travel away from the heart.
6. VEINS = travel towards the heart.
Compare and contrast between arteries, veins
and capillaries:
a) Diagram
b) Function
c) Walls
d) Lumen
e) Valves
f) Blood pressure
1. Vasa Vasorum = Vessels of the vessels.
2. Location: They branch profusely in the tunica
adventitia and the outer part of the tunica media.
3. Function: Provide metabolites to the adventitia &
media, since in large vessels the layers are too thick
to be nourished solely by diffusion from the blood in
the lumen.
4. Vasa vasorum are more frequent in veins than in
arteries.
1. Most blood vessels that contain smooth muscle in their
walls are supplied by network of unmylinated of
sympathetic nerve fibers (vasomotor nerves) whose
neurotransmitter is norepinephrine.
2. Discharge of norepinephrine from these nerves results in
vasoconstriction.
3. These effferent nerves generally do not enter the media;
the NT must diffuse for several micrometers to effect
smooth muscle cells of the media. Gap junctions between
smooth muscle cells of the media propagate the response
to the NT, to the inner layers of muscle cells.
Communication between
vessels by collateral
channels.
Clinical significance:
They supply the heart &
brain if the arteries
occluded, the tissue is
completely cut-off
leeding to Myocardial
infarction or stroke.
Because vital tissues are
vulnerable to ischaemia
arteries often form
anastomosis to provide
alternative supplies of
fresh blod.
An artery that is the only
supply of oxygenated
blood to a portion of
tissue.
e.g. Splenic artery that
supplies the spleen.
e.g. Renal artery that
supplies the kidneys.
1. It is a part of systemic circulation.
2. The blood passes through 2 sets of
capillaries before draining into a systemic
vein.
3. The vein draining the first capillary
network is known as portal vein which
branches like an artery to form the second
set of capillaries or sinusoids.
4. E.g. hepatic, renal portal circulations.
1. Lymph is the fluid that is formed as the interstitial
fluid.
2. Enters the lymph vessels by filtration.
3. Lymph travels to atleast 1 lymph node before
emptying ultimately into the right and left
subclavian vein – mixed blood.
1. Blood supplies nutrients & metabolites, and collect back
waste products.
2. Requires exchange between the blood & tissues.
3. Exchange occurs through interstitial fluid (ISF).
4. ISF occupies spaces between the cells.
5. Water and solutes can freely diffuse between blood & ISF.
6. ISF forms at the arterial end of the capillaries because of
higher pressure of blood.
7. Most of it returns to its venous ends and venules.
8. 1% enters lymph capillaries as lymph.
9. So lymph is a watery liquid with same composition of ISF.
10. As it flows to the lymph node, contact with blood, tends
to accumulate more cells (lymphocytes) and protein.
1. Primary (central) lymphoid tissue :
Generate mature virgin lymphocytes from immature
progenitor cells (production of lymphocytes).
E.g. Thymus, Bone Marrow.
2. Secondary (peripheral lymphoid tissue:
A place where lymphocytes can ‘talk’ to each other, study
the antigen, sharpen the immune response, provide
home for lymphocytes where they can be available when
needed.
E.g. Lymph nodes, Lymphoid follicles (tonsils, spleen).
3. Tertiary lymphoid tissue:
Contains fewer lymphocytes.
Functions only when challenged with antigen that
results in inflammation.
Import lymphocytes from blood and lymph.
1. Lymphatic system is not closed.
2. Has no central pump.
3. Lymph movement occurs despite low pressure due to
peristalsis (contraction & relaxation of the smooth
muscle), valves & arterial pulsation.
4. Usually the lymph that enters the lymph vessels from
interstitial space does not leak back due to presence of
valves.
5. In case of blockage of free flow, when excessive
hydrostatic pressure develops within the lymph vessels,
some fluid can leak back and contribute to formation of
oedema.
A young man sustained a cut to his right hand. The
wound later became infected. Consequently, there
was a painful swelling in the right axillary region.
What is the swelling due to and what is the
condition called?
Enlarged and inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Lymphadenitis.
Secondary to the infection of the right hand.
