Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, students should be able to . . .

2. Explain how autonomic nerves regulate the cardiac rate and the strength of ventricular contraction

3. Explain the intrinsic regulation of stroke volume (the Frank-Starling law of the heart)

4. List the factors that affect the venous return of blood to the heart

5. Explain how tissue fluid is formed and how it is returned to the capillary blood

6. Explain how edema may be produced

7. Explain how antidiuretic hormone helps to regulate the blood volume, plasma osmolality, and the blood pressure

8. Explain the role of aldosterone in the regulation of blood volume and pressure

9. Describe the renin-angiotensin system and its significance in cardiovascular regulation

10. Use Poiseuille's law to explain how blood flow is regulated

11. Define total peripheral resistance, and explain how vascular resistance is regulated by extrinsic control mechanisms

12. Describe the functions of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in the paracrine regulation of blood flow

13. Describe the intrinsic mechanisms involved in the autoregulation of blood flow

14. Explain the mechanisms by which blood flow to the heart and skeletal muscles is regulated

15. Describe the changes that occur in the cardiac output and in the distribution of blood flow in the body during exercise

16. Describe the cutaneous circulation and explain how circulation in the skin is regulated

17. Describe the factors that regulate the arterial blood pressure

18. Describe the baroreceptor reflex and explain its significance in blood pressure regulation

19. Explain how the sounds of Korotkoff are produced and how these sounds are used to measure blood pressure

20. Describe how the pulse pressure and mean arterial pressure are calculated and explain the significance of these measurements

21. Explain the mechanisms that contribute to and that help compensate for the conditions of hypertension, circulatory shock, and congestive heart failure