Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Peripheral Circulation

Peripheral Circulation
Session Overview
Description
This session outlines the physiology of the vasculature, describes the role of the vascular endothelium and the determinants of vascular resistance, explains how the microvascular forces affect exchange of fluids, nutrients and metabolites and describes the role of the lymphatic system.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the gross anatomy of the peripheral circulation
• Describe the functions of the vascular endothelium
• Describe the local and systemic factors that control vascular tone
• Explain how velocity affects turbulence
• Describe the relationship between flow, pressure and resistance
• Explain the effects of viscosity on flow velocity
• Describe the Starling forces of the capillary network
• Explain the role of the lymphatics
• Explain how circulation is controlled through the skin

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should have completed:

• Capillary dynamics and interstitial fluid (001-0619)
• Lymphatic system and other circulatory fluids (001-0621)
• Control of systemic blood pressure (001-0647)

The lungs and digestive systems are the interfaces between the external and internal environments, where the elements that are essential to cellular life are exchanged. The vascular tree is the method by which these elements are distributed throughout the internal milieu.

The vascular system is not simply a conduit, it also maintains homeostasis. An understanding of how this process is regulated at the general, local and cellular levels is essential to the understanding of how physiological equilibrium is maintained.