Cardiovascular & Lymphatic system

THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

WALL OF THE HEART: Consists of the

following 3 layers:
1. Endocardium: consists of endothelium and
subendothelial C.T. layer. Underneath, the
subendocardium is made of loose C.T. with
vessels, nerves and Purkinjé fibres.
2. Myocardium: formed of cardiac muscle
fibers, arranged in different directions (see
cardiac muscle fibers).
3. Pericardium: consists of loose C.T.
(contains fat cells and the coronary blood
vessels), covered by mesothelium (simple
squamous epithelium called epicardium which
considered the visceral layer of pericardium).
BLOOD VESSELS
General Histological Structure (from inside to outside):
1. Tunica Intima (interna): formed of:
a) Endothelium: simple squamous
epithelium. A layer of glycoprotein
which lines the external aspect of
endothelium (basal lamina).
b) Subendothelium: loose C.T.
C) Internal elastic lamina (IEL): made of
elastic fibers.
2. Tunica Media: consists of circularly
arranged smooth muscle and elastic
fibers. On the outside the media is
limited by a membrane formed by elastic
fibers which is called External elastic lamina.
3. Tunica Adventitia (Externa): consists of:
-loose CT layer in which collagen fibres are prominent.
Arteries
Arteries are classified according to size into:
* Large elastic (conducting) arteries.
* Medium-sized muscular (distributing) arteries: deliver blood to organs.
* Small arteries (arterioles): regulate the blood flow into the capillary bed.
I. Large Elastic Arteries: e.g. aorta, pulmonary and subclavian arteries. They have a
thick wall and a wide lumen. The wall of the aorta (e.g.) is formed of:
1. Tunica lntima: consists of:
a) Endothelium: simple squamous epithelium. Endothelial cells are joined by gap
junctions.

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b) Subendothelium: loose C.T., contains fibroblasts, collagen and elastic fibers.

c) Internal elastic lamina is not distinct.
2. Tunica Media: thick layer made of 40-70 laminae of
fenestrated elastic membranes. Smooth muscle fibers
and collagen fibers are found between the elastic
laminae.
3. Tunica Adventitia: is thin and consists of loose C.T.
, containing greater proportion of elastic fibers which
merge with the external elastic lamina and present of
vasa vasorum. They are small blood vessels which
supply the outer part of the aortic wall.
1. Medium-Sized (Muscular) Arteries:
- They are the most common type in the body.
- Supply blood to organs.
- See the table.
II. Small Arteries (Arterioles): Less than 0.1 mm in diameter. IEL gradually
disappears. Smooth muscle fibers gradually disappear; they have a few layers of
smooth muscle in their media. Terminal arterioles have only a thin layer of muscle in
their walls and give off lateral branches called meta-arterioles to the capillary bed.
Adventitia is very thin. Arterioles are the main regulators of peripheral vascular
resistance (contraction and relaxation of smooth muscles present in the wall of the
arterioles can alter the peripheral resistant (blood pressure) and blood flow.
Veins
I. Small Veins (Venules): Similar to arterioles. They have a diameter of 0.2-1 mm.
Smooth muscle fibers appear in the media, as the diameter increases.
II. Medium-Sized Veins: see the table.
Ill. Large Veins: e.g. inferior vena cava:
* Has a thick wall and a wide lumen.
* Has a thin media and a thick adventitia (contains bundles of longitudinal smooth
muscle fibers).
* Has no elastic Lamina.
Differences between a medium-sized artery and a medium-sized vein.
Medium-Sized Artery Medium-Size Vein
1. It has a thick wall and a narrow lumen 1. It has a thin wall and a wide lumen
2. Its wall does not collapse after death 2. Its wall collapses after death
3. The lumen contains no blood after death 3. The lumen contains blood after death
4. It has no valves 4. It has valves
5. The tunica intima is thick and its is poor in elastic fibers 5. The intima is thin and its Subendothelium is
rich in elastic fibers
6. It has a clear internal elastic lamina 6. There is no internal elastic lamina

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7. The tunica media is thick and made of smooth muscle 7. The media is thin & poor in elastic fibers
fibers and scattered
elastic fibers
8. The external elastic lamina may be present or absent 9- The tunica adventitia is wide and rich in
9. The tunica adventitia is narrow and rich in elastic fibers collagenous fibers

CONNECTION BETWEEN ARTERIES AND VEINS

I. Blood Capillaries
Size: Most capillaries have a diameter ranging from 7-9 .mm and their length varies
between 0.25-1 mm.
Structure:
 Capillaries are formed of endothelium, resting on a
basal lamina (produced by the endothelial cells).
Endothelium is formed of simple squamous
epithelium. Cytoplasm of the endothelial cells contains
abundant microtubules and intermediate filaments
which contribute the contractility of capillaries.
Endothelial cells are connected together by tight and
gap junctions.
Pericytes: are found around the endothelium. They contain actin, myosin and
tropomyosin, giving them a contractile ability. So, they could be considered as media
of the capillaries. They also have the power to change to endothelial and C.T. cells, in
response to injury.