parallel to arteries, lie closer to the skin surface; low-pressure system, drain deoxygenated blood and its waste products from the tissues and return it to the heart (exception: pulmonary)

have larger diameter than arteries and are more distensible

Conrtacting skeletal muscles that milk blood back toward the heart

pressure gradient cuased by breathing

intraluminal valves ensure unidirectional flow

contracting skeletal muscles

competent valves in the veins

patent lumen (open lumen)

prolonged standing, sitting, or bedrest

vein wall trauma

hypercoagulable states

dilated and tortuous (twisty) veins

create incompetent valves: lumen is so wide that susps cannot approximate

increases venous pressure, further dilating the vein

risks: genetics, obesity, pregnancy

sac formed by dilation in the artery wall

most common site: aorta

most often caused by atherosclerosis

retrieves fluid from tissue spaces and returns it to blood stream

empty into venous system at the subclavian veins

Conserve fluid and plasma proteins that leak out of capillaries

form a major part of the immune system that defend body against disease

Absorb lipids from the intestinal tract

slow compared to that of blood

propelled by contracting skeletal muscles, pressure changes associated with breathing, and contraction of vessel walls

small oval clumps of lymphatic tissue located at intervals along the vessel

filter out microorganisms, have an antigen-specific response to eliminate pathogens

Spleen: destroys old RBCs, produces antibodies, stores RBCs, and filter microorganisms from blood

Tonsils:respond to local inflammation

Thymus: develops T-lymphocytes in children but serves no function in adults

Nodes are relatively large in children

Enlarged tonsils are common with respiratory infections

Pregnant Female: dependent edema, varicosities n the legs and vulva, and hemorrhoids are common

Aging: arteriosclerosis produces rise in systolic blood pressure

Leg pain or cramps?

Claudication distance: number of blocks walked or stairs climbed to produce pain (PVD)

Skin changes on arms or legs?

Leg ulcers? (associated with chronic arterial and venous disease)

Swelling in the arms/legs?

Any enlarged lymph nodes?

Medications?

determines the patency of radial and ulnar arteries

Normal Finding: should turn pink promptly

Pretibial edema seen in CHF, hepatic cirrhosis

Diffuse edema: think systemic illnesses

Unilateral edema indicates local acute problem - obstruction inflammation

Elevate leg 90 degrees, place tourniquet after veins empty, help person to stand

very rapid filling indicates incompetent venous valves

normal finding: slow filling over 30 seconds