TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cardiovascular
1. Heart - Anatomy & Terminology
2. Heart - Histology
3. Heart - Conduction System
System 4.
5.
Heart - Overview
Heart - Practice
6. Blood Vessels - Tunics
7. Blood Vessels - Types
8. Blood Vessels - Elastic Arteries
9. Blood Vessels - Large Veins
10. Blood Vessels - Muscular Arteries
11. Blood Vessels - Medium Veins
12. Blood Vessels - Arterioles and Venules
13. Blood Vessels - Capillaries and Microcirculation
14. Blood Vessels - Types of Capillaries
15. Blood Vessels - Overview
16. Blood Vessels - Overview of Capillaries
17. Blood Vessels - Practice
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Coverings of the Heart
Cardiovascular System: ● Fibrous Pericardium
Serous Pericardium
Heart
●
2. Layers of Heart Wall
● Epicardium
● Myocardium
● Endocardium
3. Conduction System
● Purkinje Fibers
● Clinical Correlation:
Coronary Artery Disease
Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide
Review: Cardiac Muscle Bootcamp.com
Review Contraction: Involuntary
contraction through
Cardiac Muscle Features myofilaments organized
into sarcomeres
(striations visible in LM
Muscle Fiber: A chain of branching
mononucleated cells is one fiber.
Short and narrow cells. Cells in a
fiber adhere and communicate via
cell junctions at intercalated discs.
Fibers surrounded by endomysium.
Post-mitotic.
https://bit.ly/3rQNVzJ
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Cardiac Muscle
Forms the myocardium
https://bit.ly/3Difwzf
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Heart Wall
Three main layers
https://bit.ly/3sUndqE
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Pericardium
Covers the heart wall:
Outer Fibrous Pericardium
Inner Serous Pericardium
https://bit.ly/3mFcIq6
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Pericardium
Covers the heart wall:
Outer Fibrous Pericardium
Inner Serous Pericardium
https://bit.ly/3sQTONM
“Pericardium” often refers to just the Serous Pericardium
Review: Classification of Epithelium Bootcamp.com
Specialized Types of Simple Squamous Epithelium
Review: Mesothelium
Lines body cavities (pleural, pericardial, peritoneal)
https://bit.ly/3fid6Fn
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Layers of the Heart
Wall and Coverings
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Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Pericardial Cavity
Fluid filled)
Epicardium
Outermost layer of heart wall:
• Mesothelium
• Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Myocardium
Middle and thickest layer of heart wall:
• Contractile cardiomyocytes
• Branches of the coronary arteries
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Heart Chamber
Blood filled)
Endocardium
Innermost layer of heart wall:
• Endothelium
• Connective Tissue
Review: Classification of Epithelium Bootcamp.com
Specialized Types of Simple Squamous Epithelium
Review: Endothelium
Lines blood vessels, heart
chambers and lymphatic vessels
Thin cytoplasm allows
passive diffusion of gases
and small molecules: nutrient
and waste exchange
Ex. O2 and CO2 exchange
between air and blood
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Conduction System
Specialized cells consist of modified (non-contractile) cardiomyocytes
Conduct electrical impulses via
gap junctions to create
synchronized contractions of
the atria and ventricles.
https://bit.ly/3DyiDDp https://bit.ly/3Bhedyt
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Purkinje Fibers
Modified cardiomyocytes
in the ventricles:
• Electrical conduction
• Non-contractile
• Endocardium
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
https://bit.ly/3zqCcuC
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Clinical Application
Electrocardiograms (ECG
https://bit.ly/3DqNzoY
Review: Cardiac Muscle Bootcamp.com
Acute Myocardial Infarction
• Abnormal pattern of striations
in the muscle fibers
• Absence of nuclei (dying cells)
• The infarct can disrupt the
normal flow of electrical
impulses in the heart, leading
to irregular contractions of the
cardiac muscle and loss of the
normal cardiac rhythm: an
arrhythmia
https://bit.ly/3yrqz6b
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Atherosclerosis and
Coronary Artery Disease
https://bit.ly/3BksniA
https://bit.ly/3kxr6Oo
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Overview
Cardiovascular System: Heart
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Overview
Cardiovascular System: Heart
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Knowledge Check
A 54-year old man visits his physician due to episodic burning substernal chest
pain. His pain increases with activity and improves with rest. A perfusion scan
reveals a myocardial infarction (loss of oxygen supply to cardiac muscle)
following occlusion of a large coronary artery. A bypass surgery is scheduled to
restore blood flow to the affected areas. During surgery, in which of the following
layers of the heart wall are you most likely to locate the affected cardiac muscle?
A. Epicardium
B. Endocardium
C. Myocardium
D. Pericardium
E. Mesothelium
Cardiovascular System: Heart Bootcamp.com
Knowledge Check
The following is a PAS
stained slide of the heart
wall, identify the cells
indicated by the black
arrows.
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Coverings of the Heart
Cardiovascular System: ● Fibrous Pericardium
Serous Pericardium
Heart
●
2. Layers of Heart Wall
● Epicardium
● Myocardium
● Endocardium
3. Conduction System
● Purkinje Fibers
● Clinical Correlation:
Coronary Artery Disease
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Tunics of Blood Vessels
● Tunica Intima
Cardiovascular System: ● Tunica Media
Blood Vessels ● Tunica Adventitia
2. Types of Blood Vessels
● Elastic Arteries and Large Veins
● Clinical Correlation: Marfan Syndrome
and Aortic Dissections
● Clinical Correlation: Varicose Veins
● Muscular Arteries and Medium Veins
● Arterioles and Venules
● Clinical Correlation: Atherosclerosis
3. Types of Capillaries
● Continuous Capillaries
● Fenestrated Capillaries
● Sinusoids
Histology Slides Licensed From © Histology Guide
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Blood vessels are exposed to
different degrees of blood pressure:
Determines wall thickness and
composition.
Elastic Arteries Muscular Arterioles Capillaries Venules Veins Vena
Aorta) Arteries Cava
Lumen Diameter
25mm 4mm 20um 5um 20um 5mm 30mm
Wall Thickness 2mm 1mm 15um 1um 2um 0.5mm 1.5mm https://bit.ly/3mEz2A7
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Tunics of Blood Vessels
Composition and thickness varies
Tunica Intima
Endothelium
Loose CT
Tunica Media
Smooth Muscle
• Capable of secreting collagen and elastic fibers
• Elastic fibers can bundle when abundant to form “Elastic Laminae”
Tunica Adventitia
Dense Irregular CT
• Nervi Vasorum
• Vasa Vasorum
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Types of Blood Vessels
Collection Veins Arteries Distribution
and return of blood
of blood
Large Elastic
Medium Muscular
Venules Arterioles Regulation of
Extravasation
of fluid and Post-Capillary Metarterioles blood flow
leukocytes Venules
Capillaries
Continuous Metabolic
Fenestrated exchange
https://bit.ly/2WwXLeE
Sinusoids
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Blood Vessels
Cross Sections in LM
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Elastic Arteries
Aorta and Pulmonary Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent elastic laminae
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer,
many elastic laminae (sheets) to maintain
blood pressure during diastole.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Elastic Arteries
Aorta and Pulmonary Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent elastic laminae
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer,
many elastic laminae (sheets) to maintain
blood pressure during diastole.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Elastic Arteries
Aorta and Pulmonary Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent elastic laminae
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer,
many elastic laminae (sheets) to maintain
blood pressure during diastole.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Marfan Syndrome &
Aortic Dissections
https://bit.ly/3mOjFFj
https://bit.ly/3gRvFBW
https://bit.ly/3t418pv
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Large Veins
Vena Cava
T. Intima: Some elastic fibers, no laminae.
T. Media: Thin smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers (no laminae).
T. Adventitia: Thicker than tunica media,
contains longitudinal or spiral bundles of
smooth muscle.
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Venous Valves
Medium and large veins have valves that
prevent the retrograde flow of blood.
A valve consists of a fold of the tunica intima
which extend into the lumen of the vessel.
https://bit.ly/3yruGyi
https://bit.ly/3yigh7G
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Varicose Veins
https://bit.ly/3gTCLWN
https://bit.ly/2WGRyN8
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Muscular Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent internal EL, visible
coiling of layer when artery is contracted.
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers, prominent external EL.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Other Features: Medium to small sized
arteries (distributing arteries), round lumen
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Muscular Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent internal EL, visible
coiling of layer when artery is contracted.
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers, prominent external EL.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Other Features: Medium to small sized
arteries (distributing arteries), round lumen
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Muscular Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent internal EL, visible
coiling of layer when artery is contracted.
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers, prominent external EL.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Other Features: Medium to small sized
arteries (distributing arteries), round lumen
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Muscular Arteries
T. Intima: Prominent internal EL, visible
coiling of layer when artery is contracted.
T. Media: Thick smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers, prominent external EL.
T. Adventitia: Thinner than media
Other Features: Medium to small sized
arteries (distributing arteries), round lumen
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Medium Veins
T. Intima: Elastic fibers, often no Internal EL.
T. Media: Thin smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers (no laminae).
T. Adventitia: Thicker than tunica media
Other Features: Compared to equivalent
arteries, have thinner walls, irregular shaped
& larger sized lumen.
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Medium Veins
T. Intima: Elastic fibers, often no Internal EL.
T. Media: Thin smooth muscle layer, some
elastic fibers (no laminae).
T. Adventitia: Thicker than tunica media
Other Features: Compared to equivalent
arteries, have thinner walls, irregular shaped
& larger sized lumen.
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Muscular Arteries and Medium Veins
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Arterioles Venules
T. Intima: No Internal EL, no visible coiling. T. Intima: No Internal EL, no visible coiling.
T. Media: 1 3 layers of smooth muscle cells, T. Media: Thinner than TM of arteriole.
some elastic fibers but no laminae. T. Adventitia: Thicker than its TM
T. Adventitia: Very thin layer of CT. Other Features: Larger lumen, thinner wall
Other Features: Round lumen than equivalent arteriole, irregular shape
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Arterioles and Venules
https://bit.ly/3DpDmJh
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Arterioles and Venules
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Small Muscular Artery Arteriole
Smooth Muscle Cells: Smooth Muscle Cells:
4 10 Layers 1 3 Layers
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Capillaries
T. Intima: Endothelium and
basement membrane only
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Regular Capillary Bed:
Microcirculation arteriole-capillaries-venule
Arteriovenous Anastomosis
AV shunt)
Arterial Portal System:
arteriole-capillaries-arteriole
Venous Portal System:
venule-capillaries-venule
https://bit.ly/2WwKtPx
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Capillary Exchange
Endothelial cell-cell junctions form a barrier between blood and
tissue: Permeability can be regulated via tight junctions
Molecular traffic across the endothelium:
1 Paracellular through cell-cell junctions
2 Transcellular by vesicular transport
https://bit.ly/3sRnNFk
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Types of Capillaries
Structural differences in endothelial lining and basement
membrane determine permeability of capillary type.
https://bit.ly/3BfLMkH
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Continuous Capillaries
No gaps or pores in endothelial cytoplasm.
Highly selective barriers: lung, brain, testis
https://bit.ly/3BfLMkH
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Fenestrated Capillaries
Endothelial cells contain small pores called fenestrations
Slightly selective barrier: kidney, intestine
https://bit.ly/3mRd394 https://bit.ly/3BfLMkH
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Sinusoids
Also known as Discontinuous Capillaries)
Large gaps in endothelial cytoplasm, incomplete basement
membrane. Allows passage of large molecules and small cells.
Poorly selective barrier: liver, spleen, bone marrow
https://bit.ly/3BfLMkH
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Pericytes
Pericytes are stem cells with long cytoplasmic processes that extend
around capillaries. They are involved in the control of blood flow,
blood-brain barrier, angiogenesis, and muscle regeneration.
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Overview
Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Overview
Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Overview
Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Overview
Blood Vessels
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Knowledge Check
Marfan’s syndrome results from abnormalities in fibrillin and its association
with tropoelastin. Which of the following blood vessel tunics would be
most affected with this condition:
A. Tunica adventitia of arterioles
B. Tunica media of veins
C. Tunica intima of distributing arteries
D. Tunica media of elastic arteries
E. Tunica intima of venules
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Knowledge Check
Review: Heart Bootcamp.com
Review:
Atherosclerosis and
Coronary Artery Disease
https://bit.ly/3BksniA
https://bit.ly/3kxr6Oo
Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels Bootcamp.com
Atherosclerosis
https://bit.ly/3DuIw6O
https://bit.ly/3mWbhU7 https://bit.ly/3jzsz7F
REVIEW OUTLINE
1. Tunics of Blood Vessels
● Tunica Intima
Cardiovascular System: ● Tunica Media
Blood Vessels ● Tunica Adventitia
2. Types of Blood Vessels
● Elastic Arteries and Large Veins
● Clinical Correlation: Marfan Syndrome
and Aortic Dissections
● Clinical Correlation: Varicose Veins
● Muscular Arteries and Medium Veins
● Arterioles and Venules
● Clinical Correlation: Atherosclerosis
3. Types of Capillaries
● Continuous Capillaries
● Fenestrated Capillaries
● Sinusoids
