Cardiovascular system Presented by Dr Doaa

Khaled, Lecturer of Histology , school of

medicine , Helwan University
 Objectives
Objectives

1- Recognize the histological structure of

the heart wall with reference to
moderator band
2- Describe the microscopic structure of
large , medium sized artery & veins

3- Compare between medium sized A & V

The blood vascular system is composed of
the following structures:
1- The heart, function is to pump the
blood.
2- The arteries
3- The capillaries, the smallest blood
vessels and site of gas & nutrient
exchange between blood and tissues
4- The veins
 Heart

Veins Large
elastic A

Venules Muscular A

Arterioles
Capillaries
 1- The heart is the principal organ of the blood
circulatory system, pumping blood throughout the body

2- Large elastic arteries leave the heart and branch to form

muscular arteries. These arteries branch further and enter
organs, where they branch much further to form arterioles

3- These arterioles branch into capillaries, the site of

exchange between blood and surrounding tissue.

4- Capillaries then merge to form venules, which merge

further into small and then medium-sized veins

5- These veins leave organs, form larger veins which

bring blood back to the heart
The heart and conducting
system
 Major histological features of the heart
1- Longitudinal view of human heart showing
the two atria and two ventricles. The
ventricular walls are thicker than those of the
atria, principally because of the much thicker
myocardium.
2- The valves are basically flaps of connective
tissue
 Wall of Heart
◼ Heart is muscular
organ consists of 4
chambers.
◼ Wall of the heart is
formed of three coats:
endocardium,
myocardium and
epicardia layers
Microscopic structure of heart wall
1- Endocardium: inner lining layer of
cardiac chambers formed of:
a. Endothelium: simple squamous
epithelium .
b. Supporting C.T: (middle myoelastic
layer of smooth muscle fibers & c.t).
C. subendocardil layer : still deeper and
merge with the myocardium, also it contain
modified cardiac ms fibers called (Purkinje
fibers) will be discussed later
2- Myocardium:
➢ - Middle most thick Layer.
➢ - that are thinner in atria than ventricle.
- Arranged in aspecial spiral manner (run in
3direction (long,transverse and oblique).
◼ Very little amount of loose c.t (endomycium)
inbetween the cardiac myocyte.
2- Myocardium:

➢ Middle most thick Layer.

◼ Formed of network of cardiac muscle fibers
thicker in ventricle than atria. As strong force
is required to pump blood through the
systemic & pulmonary circulation
◼ Arranged in a special spiral manner (run in 3
direction (long,transverse and oblique).
◼ Very little amount of loose c.t (endomycium)
inbetween the cardiac myocyte.
3- Epicardium:
1- external layer of the heart , it is a
serous membrane which represents
visceral layer of pericardium.
2- Consists of one row of flat
mesothelial cells (simple squamous
epithelium) Rests on loose C.T
Contains fat cells and coronary
blood vessels.
❑ Pericardium has visceral layer
(epicardium) &parietal layer.

❑ Serous fluid is present between two layers

and secreted by mesothelial cells. This
allows these layers to slide Over each other
and prevent friction during contraction and
relaxation of the heart.
Fibrous skeleton of
heart:
It is a dense irregular
C.T. form part of
interventricular ,
interatrial septa and
surrounds all valves of
heart
◼ 1- Conducting system OF THE HEART , which initiates
the electrical impulse for heart's contraction
(heartbeat) and spreads it through the ventricular
myocardium.

◼ 2- Both the a) sinoatrial (SA) node (pacemaker), in

the right atrium and the b)-atrioventricular (AV)
node in the floor of the right atrium consist of
myocardial tissue that is difficult to distinguish
histologically from surrounding cardiac muscle.
3- c)The AV node is continuous with specialized
bundles of cardiac muscle fibers called d)the AV
bundle (of His) which run along the
interventricular septum to the apex of the heart,
where they branch further as conducting
(Purkinje) fibers which extend into myocardium of
both ventricles.
CONDUCTING SYSYTEM OF THE
HEART
 Purkinjé muscle fibres

1)-They are modified cardiac muscle fibres,

found in the AV bundle and its branches
(conducting system of the heart).

2)- They have a faster rate of (4-5 times)

conduction than ordinary cardiac muscle fibres,
and trigger waves of contraction through both
ventricles simutaneously
How are the Purkinje fibers
modified?
1- Larger in diameter than
Ordinary cardiac muscle.

2- Have paler sarcoplasm as it is

rich in glycogen which dissolves
during preparation so appears
vacuolated

3- Sparse myofibrils which are

peripherally situated.

4- joined by intercalated disc but

specialized for impulse conduction
rather than contraction
The blood vessels
 The Blood Vessels
They include:
◼ Arteries: Large arteries, medium
sized arteries & arterioles.
◼ Veins: Large veins, medium sized
veins & venules.
◼ Arterio-venous connections:
Blood capillaries, sinusoids &
arterio-venous anastomosis.
General structure of blood vessels
1-Tunica Intima:
Innermost layer,
contact with blood.

2- Tunica Media:
The middle layer

3- Tunica Adventitia:
The outermost layer.
1- Tunica Intima: formed of
a- Endothelium:
➢ Simple squamous epithelium
➢ lies on basal lamina.
b- Subendothelium:
Loose C.T. to support
the endothelium
 c- Internal
elastic lamina:

1)- only Present in arteries.

2)- Made of dense elastic

fibers forming fenestrated
membrane. appears as a
wavy pink line in H & E
sections.

3)- Well developed in

muscular arteries and
absent in small arterioles.

4)- Prevent occlusion of

arteries.
What is the function of endothelium?
1- It provides a smooth surface
for blood flow & easy exchange.
2- present nonthrombogenic surface (control clot
formation( as it is secret heparin, other factors)
3- regulate vascular tone and blood flow:
By secretion of endothelin 1, angiotensin converting
enzyme (ACE),… (ms contraction) and prostacyclin
(ms relaxation).
2- Tunica Media: formed of:
A- Circularly arranged 1-smooth muscle
fibers, Variable amounts of 2-elastic
fibers& 3-Fine collagen fibers.

B- External elastic lamina.

Function:
It Regulates blood flow and pressure by
vasocontraction of its smooth m or
vasorelaxation .
3- Tunica Adventitia:
◼ Formed of loose C.T (elastic f and collage fibers
type 1)
◼ Contains also nerves (autonomic nerve fibers),
lymphatics and vasa vasorum.
◼ Function:
◼ It connects blood vessels to the surrounding
tissues and prevents over-distension of the
vessel.
◼ Vasa Vasorum??????: p.220
 Arteries
1- Large elastic (conducting) arteries:
which carry blood from the heart directly.
2- Medium-sized (distributing) muscular
arteries: distribute blood to organs.
3- Small arteries (arterioles):
regulate blood flow to capillaries
 Type Large Elastic Large vein
Arteries

Shape & dia Wide, regular Wide, irregular

Thick wall, show folding Thin wall

Example Aorta ,pulmonary its (inf & sup vena cava)

large branches, Pour directly into the
heart

Tunica 1- endotheium & relatively thin

intima sunendothelium) (project to form valves)

2- IEL is not
differentiated Differenited .
Tunica Very Thick layer -Relatively thin
media
Made of : made of :
1-Mainly fenestratd Circularly smooth
elastic lamina (50
ms ( more than 5
layers) alternating
layers + few elastic
with smooth muscle
& collagenous fibres and much
collagen

2- ILL defined
external elastic no External elastic
lamina lamina
 Tunica Thin layer Very thick layer (form
adventitia the main thickness).
Made of:
made of :
1- loose c.t &vasa
1- loose c.t: elastic vasora.
fibre
2- long arranged
+ vasa vasorum, bundles of smooth
lymph&nerves muscle in its inner part
fibers (facilitate
elongation and shortening
of the vena cava with
respiration)
Function of large elastic artery
- conduct blood from heart and with elastic
recoil help move blood forward under steady
pressure

Function of large large vein

Function of large veins
1- Vein especially of lower half provided with
valves that allow the blood to flow in one
direction (toward the heart ).

2- Sm fibre of its media appose the action of

gravity by its peristaltic pumping of the blood up
to the heart.
II-Medium-Sized (Muscular) Arteries
Distributing A
◼ The most common type
◼ Brachial , radial, ulnar & femoral.
◼ Their wall is formed mainly of smooth muscles
regulate blood flow to organs.
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein
Thick wall and narrow lumen Thin wall and wide Lumen

It has no valves It has

Valves
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein
T. Intima : thin, has thin
moderate elastic poor in elastic fibers
fibers,
has a differentiated no internal elastic
internal elastic l. lamina
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein
T. Media: thick (equal or Thin (less than
thicker than adventitia), adventitia) , made of
made of circ SMF + some smooth muscles poor in
elastic fibers elastic fibers
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein

External elastic It has no external

Lamina: present in elastic lamina
between the media &
adventitia
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein
T. Adventitia : is thinner or equal thick (greater than media),
to the media), made of loose made of loose c.t &vasa
c.t, vasa vasora, lymphatics& vasora
nerves
Medium-sized Artery Medium-sized Vein
Adaptation to the Adaptation to the function
function
its thick media under The same as large
the control of veins
autonomic nerve
fibre & controle the
blood flow to diff
body organs