Human Physiology

Lesson 32 : Blood Vessels & Lymphatic System

Glossary

Arteries: are distributing vessels that carry blood from heart to peripheral organs.

Veins: are collecting vessels that bring blood from peripheral organs to heart.

Capillary: are exchange vessels through them nutrients and waste products are exchanged between blood and tissue.

Pulmonary or lesser circulation: vessels carrying blood from heart to lungs and back constitute pulmonary circulation.

Systemic or greater circulation: vessels carrying blood from heart to entire body and back constitute systemic circulation.

Arterioles: are finer branches of arteries localized in the organs and composed of thick coat of smooth muscle cells. They are also known as resistance vessels.

Sinusoids: are distended blood spaces (homologues to capillaries) for greater level of exchange between blood and tissue cells.

Electrocardiogram: is graphic recording of electrical events of heart through electrodes placed on skin.

Lymph: is clear, colour tissue fluid circulating through lymphatics before mixing with blood.