Intrinsic and extrinsic control of the circulation

Arteries vs arterioles

Large arteries

large elastic component as these are first and foremost transport vessels

Arterioles

large muscular component for flow control

Vascular tone

Smooth muscles constrict and control blood flow

vascular tone regulates:
  • arterial blood pressure
  • capillary recruitment and capillary pressure
  • central venous pressure

Intrinsic and extrinsic control of vascular tone

Control hierarchy

in order of first steps

  1. local response
  2. endothelial secretions, vasoactive metavolites, autacoids
  3. extrinsic factors

Intrinsic mechanisms

Myogenic response

vessels respond directly to a change in pressure by vasocontriction or dilation (bayliss myogenic response)

more endothelial shear stress triggers vessels to make NO which is a vasodilator as well as other things

Paracrine factors (endothelial secretions, vasoactive metabolites, autacoids)

metabolic regulation

production of metabolism leads to changes in the vessel diameter CO lactic acid metabolites etc are dilators o2 is a constrictor

this allows muscle etc to get more blood

Endothelial derived factors

constrictors

  • endothelin
  • angiotensin II dilators
  • NO
  • Prostacyclin
  • endothelial derived hyperpolarising factor
  • adenosine
NO production

pregnancy shear stress drugs

Physical factors

reactive hyperaemia

after an occlusion in a vessel there is dilation downstream to the occlusion. this enables high perfusion after enabling flow again

Extrinsic mechanisms

Vasodilator nerves

release noradrenaline in the tunica media releases ACh

Sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerves (widespread)

increase sympathetic activity leads to vasoconstriction reduced sympathetic activity leads to vasodilation

endocrine factors

releases na and adrenaline into the blood vasopressin angiotensin II atrial netriuretic hormone