Anatomy of Blood

Vessels
Physiotherapy and Occupational
Therapy
Dr Sil Wallach
 Objectives
This lecture should enable you to
 Describe the basic structure of arteries,
veins and capillaries
 Describe the 3 types of circulation
 Describe the major arteries and veins of
the body
 Know the main pulse points
 Describe the lymph system
 Structure of Blood Vessels

3 layers Tunica Intima

Endothelium: smooth lining
(tunics)

Tunica Media
Tunica Adventitia Smooth muscle
Connective tissue: protective, anchoring Fibroelastic connective tissue
Vasa vasorum: blood supply for vessel
 Arteries (1)
Tunica
adventitia

Tunica
media

Tunica
intima

 Carry blood away from heart

 Thick layer of smooth muscle (tunica media)
 Small lumen
Arteries (2)
 Types of artery
 Elastic e.g. aorta (distribution)
Tunica media contains elastin fibres – expansion & recoil

 Muscular e.g. femoral (resistance)

Tunica media contains much smooth muscle

 Arterioles (resistance)
Diameter < 100µm, TM contains much smooth muscle
 Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic
plaque

Initial damage to endothelial cells thought to cause

accumulation of LDLs, inflammatory cells and
smooth muscle → plaques.
Aortic aneurysm
 Veins (1)

Tunica
adventitia

Tunica
intima

Tunica
media

 Big reservoir – hold 64% blood in body

 Collect blood and return to heart. Large lumen
 Thinner walls – blood at lower pressure
 Valves prevent backflow of blood
Veins (2)
Varicose veins
 Due to incompetent
valves

 Blood flows
backwards, from deep
to superficial veins

 Vein wall distended

 Capillaries (1)

 Exchange of O2,
nutrients, waste

 Need to be thin

 Flattened endothelial
cells on basement
membrane
Capillaries (2)
Types of capillary
 Continuous e.g. skin

 Fenestrated allow
extensive exchange
with blood e.g. gut,
kidneys

 Sinusoidal – little
barrier to exchange
e.g liver
 TYPES OF CIRCULATION
 Systemic: around
body via arteries,
capillaries and veins

 Pulmonary: lungs

 Hepatic portal: blood

from capillaries in GI
tract passes directly
to capillaries in liver
MAJOR ARTERIES
 PULSE POINTS
 Places where arteries
are near the skin
surface

 Pressing the artery

against underlying
bone / firm structure
allows elastic recoil of
the artery to be felt
MAJOR VEINS
 LYMPH VESSELS
 Drain tissue fluid back
towards venous
system

 Majority drain into

thoracic duct

 Lymph nodes allow

fluid to be cleansed
 Summary
 Structure and function  Major arteries
of arteries, veins and  Pulse points
capillaries  Major veins
 3 types of circulation:  Lymph system
 Systemic
 Pulmonary
 Hepatic portal