Summary Lecture 2 Endothelium, immune cells and atherosclerosis

Endothelium, immune cells and
atherosclerosis (inside of artery narrows
due to build-up of plaque)

Diseases are associated with the
part in the circulation
The heart
Ischemia (heart failures):
insufficient blood flow to the heart
Myocardial infarcation (heart
attack): blood clot in coronary artery
(kransslagader)

The aorta
Aneurysm: weaking of the aorta wall followed by dilation induced by
pressure pulsation that the aorta is exposed to
If this happens in the abdominal part of the aorta: abdominal aortic
aneurysm

Arterioles
Essential hypertension: increases vasoconstriction of blood vessels

Capillaries
Blood flow defect caused by blood clot or rupture of vessels
 In the brain: stroke (cerebrovascular accidents)
 In the leg muscle; claudication (etalagebenen); pain in leg muscles during
walking

Veins
Haemorrhagic shock: large amount of blood loss

Lungs
Pulmonary hypertension: pressure in the lung artery is increased causing permanent
damage to pulmonary vascular bed and eventually death

Wall of blood vessels
Layered arrangement (tunica/lamina):
Endothelium + blood  elastic elements (elastin and
collagen) (protect the vessel and its muscle cells
from pulsation in blood pressure)  smooth muscle
(determines the diameter of the vessel)  connective tissue

Arteries: endothelium + thick elastic elements and smooth
muscle + connective tissue
Arterioles: endothelium + thinner elastic elements and smooth
muscle + connective tissue
Capillaries: only endothelium
Venules: endothelium + thin smooth muscle + connective
tissue
Veins: endothelium + thin elastic elements and smooth muscle + connective tissue