Aims and Objectives

Aim: to teach the basic anatomy of the circulatory vessels, the control of peripheral resistance and the regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure.

Objectives: on completion of this package students should be able to:

1. Describe the gross anatomy of the pulmonary and systemic circulations and the route taken by blood through the heart.
2. Describe the structure and main function of the aorta, arteries, capillaries, venules and veins.
3. Explain the relationship between resistance to blood flow and the physiological control mechanisms responsible for regulation of peripheral resistance.
4. Describe how autonomic nervous reflexes, hormones and intrinsic autoregulatory mechanisms, controlling cardiac output and peripheral resistance contribute to homeostatic control of blood pressure.
5. Explain how the kidney is involved in long-term regulation of blood pressure.