CHAPTER 11

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

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Structure and Function

Structure of the circulatory system
Includes the blood and lymph that move through the body

Function of the circulatory system

Both blood and lymph are tissues that maintain homeostasis and give the body immunity

Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Blood
Body contains approximately 4 to 5 liters of blood, making up about 8% of the bodys weight Functions include:
Transporting nutrients, oxygen, and hormones Removing metabolic wastes and carbon dioxide Providing immunity through antibodies Maintaining body temperature and electrolyte balance Clotting to prevent bleeding from a wound
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Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes)

Erythrocytes contain a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen to all cells and removes carbon dioxide Each red blood cell lives only 90 to 120 days New cells are manufactured by the red marrow or myeloid tissue in bones The liver and spleen remove dead red blood cells
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)

White blood cells remove foreign particles, fight infection, and help prevent disease There are fewer white blood cells than red White blood cells are larger than red Leukocytes live about 9 days Pus consists of white blood cells mixed with bacteria

Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Five Types of White Blood Cells

Neutrophils Basophils Eosinophils Lymphocytes Monocytes

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Platelets (Thrombocytes)
Smallest blood cells Platelets promote clotting to prevent blood loss Platelets can form a plug to seal small vessels by themselves or start the clotting process Produced in red bone marrow Live about 5 to 9 days
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Plasma
A pale yellow liquid that remains when elements are removed from blood Whole blood is 55% plasma Plasma is 90% water and approximately 10% proteins It contains nutrients, electrolytes, oxygen, enzymes, hormones, and wastes Helps fight infection and assists in the clotting (coagulation) of blood
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Blood Typing
A persons blood type is an inherited characteristic of the blood A blood type is determined by the antigens located on the surface of the red blood cell Clumping of incompatible cells blocks blood vessels and may cause death
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Table 11-2 Blood Types

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Lymph and Lymphatic Tissue

Two important functions
The process of immunity Maintaining the bodys fluid balance

Lymph is a watery substance formed from fluid that filters into the body tissue or interstitially Lymphatic tissues consist of the tonsils, thymus, spleen, nodes, and the lymph vessels
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Immunity
Immune response takes on two forms
As a barrier of the skin, mucous membranes, tears, and the leukocytes In leukocytes antibodies are formed in response to antigens or foreign materials that enter the body

May be a localized or systemic reaction Acquired and/or inherited immunity

Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment Techniques
Hemoglobin (Hgb) test measures the amount of oxygen-carrying ability of the blood Hematocrit (Hct) measures the volume of erythrocytes in the blood Sedimentation rates measure how long it takes for erythrocytes in the blood to settle to the bottom of a container Reticulocyte studies measure the number of immature red blood cells
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment Techniques (continued)

Red blood cell (RBC) counts determine the number of circulating red blood cells in 1 mm3 of blood Platelet or thrombocyte counts measure the number of platelets in 1 mm3 of blood to determine clotting ability Aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) studies examine bone marrow from the iliac crest of the hip
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disorders of the Circulatory System

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Dysfunction of the immune system caused by a virus

Allergy
Hypersensitive response by the immune system to an outside substance

Anemia
The blood has an inadequate amount of hemoglobin, red blood cells, or both
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Disorders of the Circulatory System (continued)

Autoimmune
Conditions in which the immune system of the body turns against itself

Elephantiasis
A massive accumulation of lymphatic fluid in body tissues, causing an abnormally large growth of tissue or hypertrophy

Erythroblastosis fetalis
A condition in an unborn baby in which the mother forms antibodies against the antigens in the babys blood
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Disorders of the Circulatory System (continued)

Hemophilia
A rare sex-linked genetic blood disease in which the blood is missing a clotting factor

Hepatitis
A viral infection of the blood

Hodgkins disease
A malignant cancer of the lymph system

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Disorders of the Circulatory System (continued)

Leukemia
Also called blood cancer, is an abnormal malignant increase in the number and longevity of white blood cells

Lymphosarcoma
Is a group of malignant cancers of lymph tissues other than Hodgkin's disease

Polycythemia
An abnormal increase in the number of blood cells, making the blood thicker and slower flowing
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Disorders of the Circulatory System (continued)

Septicemia
Called blood poisoning, is an infection that occurs when pathogens enter the blood

Sickle cell anemia

A genetic condition that results in malformed red blood cells

Splenomegaly
An enlargement of the spleen caused by an acute infection such as mononucleosis or anemia
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Disorders of the Circulatory System (continued)

Thalassemia
One of the most common genetic blood disorders

Thrombocytopenia
A decrease in the number of platelets in the blood

Thrombosis
A condition in which a blood clot, called a thrombus, forms in the blood vessels

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Issues and Innovations

Transfusion Risks
Autologous transfusions Platelet donations

Interferon Prevention of viral diseases Monoclonal antibodies Used in organ transplants, against autoimmune
disease, and to diagnose certain diseases
Copyright 2003 by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.