MODULE11

• What is the main function of the cardiovascular system in animals?

  Pumping blood through the vascular network
• Where is the heart located in the body?

  In the thoracic cavity, mediastinum region
• What structures border the heart?

  Lungs, sternum, esophagus, thoracic vertebra
• What are blood vessels responsible for in the cardiovascular system?

  Transportation of matter and blood products
• How does the vascular network function?

  Delivers blood cells, nutrients, and oxygen
• What are the two categories of the vascular system?

  Macro vasculature and microvasculature
• What is the definition of macro vasculature?

  Vessels observable with the naked eye
• What is the primary composition of the heart histologically?

  Cardiomyocytes and connective tissue
• What is the role of the cardiac/fibrous skeleton?

  Provides structure and support to the heart
• What type of stain helps visualize heart components?

  Masson's elastic trichrome stain
• What are the two layers of the pericardium?

  Superficial fibrous layer and deeper serous layer

  
• What composes the fibrous layer of the pericardium?

  Fibrous connective tissue

  
• What is the visceral pericardium also known as?

  Part of the epicardium
• What is contained in the pericardial cavity?

  Pericardial fluid
• What is the primary component of the myocardium?

  Cardiomyocytes
• How do cardiomyocytes differ from skeletal muscle cells?

  They are branched and contain intercalated disks
• What happens to the heart after a myocardial infarction?

  Necrotic area is replaced by scar tissue
• What is the endocardium composed of?

  A single layer of endothelial cells
• Why is the left atrium's endocardium thicker than the right atrium's?

  Due to high pressure from pulmonary veins
• What does the subendothelial layer contain?

  Loose elastic tissue, collagen, nerves, blood vessels
• What is the function of the conduction system of the heart?

  Initiation and propagation of impulses

  
• What are the two types of cells in the SA node?

  Nodal (P) cells and transitional (T) cells
• What separates the SA node from the rest of the atria?

  Dense connective tissue
• Where is the AV node located?

  Next to the fibrous skeleton of the heart
• What are Purkinje fibers rich in?

  Glycogen
• What are the three layers of heart valves?

  Spongiosa, fibrosa, and ventricularis
• What is characteristic of the spongiosa layer?

  Large amounts of proteoglycans and loose connective tissue
• What does the fibrosa layer contain?

  Dense irregular connective tissue
• What is the function of the chordae tendineae?

  Restrain valves from high pressure
• What is the tunica externa's role in blood vessels?

  Maintains vessel integrity and resists strain
• What does the tunica media contain?

  Transversely arranged smooth muscle cells
• How does the tunica intima interact with the lumen?

  It is exposed to and interacts with contents
• What is segmental differentiation in blood vessels?

  Differential changes in vessel wall layers
• What are large arteries also known as?

  Elastic arteries
• What is the primary cell type in large arteries?

  Smooth muscle cells
• What is the role of the vasa vasorum?

  Supplies oxygen and nutrients to vessel walls
• What characterizes muscular arteries?

  Thick layer of transverse smooth muscle
• What do small arteries and arterioles contain?

  One or two layers of smooth muscle cells
• What is absent in arterioles?

  External elastic membrane
• What do arterioles flow into?

  Capillaries