Circulation Celebration of Learning

The human body also contains networks of blood vessels. Unless otherwise specified, the vein equivalent of arteries generally share the same name.

Compare the following:

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

Arteries vs. veins (structure)

The pulmonary system serves to get deoxygenated blood into the lungs -specifically to the alveoli- where the blood cells can get oxygenated. The pulomanary trunk branches into the pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood. After oxygenation, they begin making their way back to the heart, thus being called the pulmonary veins. The systemic system serves to get oxygenated blood throughout the body, with arteries carrying oxygenated blood and veins carrying deoxygenated blood.

Arteries must have thick walls in order to stand through the high pressure of blood that passes through them. They have 3 distinct layers to handle the influx of blood at a high velocity from the aorta. Veins are larger in dimater and are thinner than arteries. They also have valves that allow the blood to move through systematic contractions, and prevent backflow from occuring.

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.

Carotid artery (oxygenated) -> Brain (Oxygen arrives) -> Internal Jugular Vein (deoxygenated) -> Superior Vena Cava (deoxygenated) -> Right Atrium (deoxy) -(AV)> Right Ventricle -(Semilunar Valve)> Pulmonary Trunk -> Pulomary Arteries -> Lungs (oxygenated) -> Pulmonary Veins -> Left Atrium -(AV)> Left Ventricle -(SL Valve)> Aorta (oxygenated)

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

Foramen Ovale : Allows blood to enter the Light Atrium from the Right Atrium through an opening; effectively bypasses the lungs.

Ductus Arteriosis: Allows blood from the Pulomanary Arteries to bypass developing lungs and enter the aorta.

Ductus Venosus: Allows oxygenated blood from the placenta to enter the vena cava and bypass the liver