Circulation Quiz Review

Compare the following:

Pulmonary vs. systemic (blood vessels, function, oxygenated vs. deoxygenated)

Pulmonary Circulation: Blood is sent into the lungs. Deoxygenated blood is found in the right atrium which pumps into the right ventricle. Deoxygenated blood then goes out the pulmonary artery which becomes oxygenated in the lungs. Oxygenated blood goes to the pulmonary vein where it enters the left atrium.

Systemic Circulation: Oxygenated blood in the left atrium go to the left ventricle and is then pumped into the aorta. Then, blood travels into different arteries that branch off in our bodies, which then find themselves in the capillaries where gas exchange takes place. Deoxygenated blood then enters the right atrium via the superior or inferior vena cava.

Arteries vs. veins (structure)

Both arteries and veins have three layers, but arteries have thicker walls than veins. Arteries then shrink into smaller blood vessels called arterioles while veins turn into venules. The main difference between arteries and veins is that veins ahve valves that run along the walls to prevent blood from falling back down instead of going to the heart.

*List the structures (specific blood vessels, parts of the heart) that a blood cell would pass by within the circulatory system - moving from the carotid artery all the way back to the aorta.  Include information about where and when the blood is oxygenated and deoxygenated.

From the carotid artery, oxygenated blood would go through the artery, then its arteriole and finally to the capillaries. There, gas exchange would occur, and now deoxygenated blood would travel to the jugular vein and down to the superior vena cava. It enters the right atrium, through the AV valve and  moves to the right ventricle. The deoxygenated blood goes through the pulmonary artery where it enters the lungs to get oxygenated. The oxygenated blood goes through the pulmonary vein where it enters the left atrium, goes through the AV valve down the left ventricle and finally out the aorta.

Fetal circulation:  Describe the 3 major modifications of the fetal circulatory system.  What is the purpose of each?

Foramen ovale: Hole between right atrium and left atrium. Provides oxygen and blood flow, which bysses the lungs.

Ductus arteriosus: Hole between aorta and pulmonary trunk. This prevents blood from going to the lungs

Ductus venosus: Vein where oxygenated blood goes to the heart.