Module 4: Cardiovascular 2 Blood Vessels

Figure 4.1. Superficial veins in the upper limb. (Image: OpenStax - Colin Davis)

Introduction

In the cardiovascular system, blood vessels collectively function as a transport network delivering oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from tissues while regulating blood pressure and maintaining homeostasis.  Blood vessels have specific functions that allow them to operate as a closed-loop circuit with the heart.  Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to or toward the heart. Capillaries exchange materials between the blood and tissue. The anatomical design of blood vessels allows arteries to function as pressure reservoirs, veins as volume reservoirs, and capillaries as exchange hubs.  Knowledge of blood vessel structure, circulation routes, and vessel locations is essential for recognizing how underlying cardiovascular issues may present as external signs or symptoms. This understanding is particularly important in emergency and clinical settings, where rapid identification of internal problems can be critical to patient care.  In this laboratory, you will use models, diagrams, and histology slides to study the structures, functions, and locations of major blood vessels.

1. Analyze blood flow through major vessels by determining the vessel from which blood has arrived and the vessel to which it will next travel, including vessels involved in specialized circulatory routes.

2. Identify and explain specialized circulations, including listing the veins of the hepatic portal system and the arteries of the Circle of Willis, and describing the functional significance of each system.

3. Identify and compare blood vessels at the microscopic and macroscopic levels, including recognizing arteries, veins, and capillaries in histology slides; describing the layers of blood vessel walls and their tissues; and correlating structural differences with vessel function.

To achieve these objectives: 

1. Read the Module 4 Introduction 
2. Read Lab 4 in the lab manual.
3. Take the Module 4 pre-lab quiz.
4. Complete the Module 4 lab exercises.
5. Take the Module 4 post-lab quiz.

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