HISTOLOGY:

Circulatory system

2 Année
ème
ème

Médecine Chlef
Cours
Cours de
de Mme
Mme ZERROUKI
ZERROUKI
 Circulatory system’s fonction
• The main function of the
circulatory system is to transport
substances from one part of the
body to another (respiratory
gases, heat, nutrients, and to
remove waste).
 General organisation
We divide the circulatory system into
two subsystems:
• The cardiovascular system: heart +
blood + blood vessels
• The lymphatic system: lymph +
lymphatic vessels + lymph nodes
The circulatory system therefore
plays a crucial role in the proper
functioning of the body's other
systems.

Respiration : Oxygen and carbon

dioxide transport
 Nutrition

• Transport of nutrients from the

digestive tract to the cells
 Excretion

• Transport of waste products

from the cells to the excretory
organs (kidneys, liver, lungs,
skin)
 Immunity
• Transport of white blood cells
and antibodies.
 Endocrinians
• Transport of hormones secreted by the
glands.

Thermoregulation: Transport of heat.

The circulatory system consist of two
systems:-
1-Blood vascular system or
cardiovascular system.
2-Lymphatic vascular system.
A. The cardiovascular system
The blood vascular system is
composed of the following:
1.Arteries 2. Arterioles
3.Veins 4.Capillaries 5.Heart
6.Venules
 Heart histology
• The heart consists of four chambers, paired
as the right heart and the left heart.
• Histologicaly: The cardiac wall generally
consists of three layers: endocardium,
myocardium, and pericardium.
 Heart layers

Visceral layer
and parietal
layer.
The three cardium layers
 1. The Endocardium
• The endocardium consists of an endothelium
(simple squamous lining(revetement simple
pavimenteux)) resting on a layer of
connective tissue that contains collagen
fibers and elastic fibers.
• This endocardium lines all heart chambers
and covers the various surfaces as well as
the chordae tendineae (cordages des
valvules) of the heart valves.
 Endothelium of endocardium
layer
It contains
nerves, small
blood vessels,
and cells from
the nodal
tissue
(subendocardia
l Purkinje
network).
 The characteristic appearance of the
endocardium includes a smooth, glistening
surface due to the simple squamous
epithelium, which helps reduce friction during
blood flow.
The characteristic "sunny-side
up=fried egg" appearance.
 2. Myocardium
• The wall of the heart, also known as the
myocardium, is composed of striated
cardiac muscle cells or myocardial cells.
• It contains characteristic striated muscle
fibers that form an anastomosing network,
where specialized intercellular junctions
constitute the scalariform striations.

NB. Anastomosing is the process of joining or

merging different branching networks of tubes into a
single continuous network.
The cells are organized in successive layers,
covering the different heart chambers in a
complex spiral formation: well-vascularized
and with no regenerative capacity.

Muscular fibers of myocardium:

Linear arrangement of cardiac fibers.
 Automatism
• Cardiac automatism and the coordination of
myocardial contraction between the four
chambers are related to the presence of
specialized muscle tissue known as nodal
tissue.
Nodal cells
 Nodal tissue
• The nodal tissue is composed of
mononucleated muscle-type cells featuring
a central nucleus and relatively poor
cytoplasm in myofibrils, arranged
peripherally. Other cells, clearly visible in
the sub-endocardial network, are known as
Purkinje cells.
• The impulse originates at the sinoatrial
node (sinus rhythm), is modulated in the
atrioventricular node, and transmitted to the
myocardial cells through the bundles and
the Purkinje sub-endocardial network.
Extrinsic innervation only physiologically
regulates the activity of the nodal tissue.
Cardium cells: in center
3. The Pericardium and Epicardium

• The pericardium consists of a serous

portion and a fibrous portion.
• The epicardium is the visceral portion of the
pericardium, or pericardial sac, surrounding
the heart.
Epicardium histology It consists of a
single layer of
flattened
mesothelial
cells. Beneath
these
mesothelial cells
is a fibrous layer
containing
elastic fibers.
The epicardium
is anchored to
the myocardium
by a layer of
vascularized
loose connective
tissue.
Regulation of heartbeat

Cardiac muscle cells

are interconnected,
forming a network of
cells.
Cardiac
Cardiac muscle
muscle cells,
cells, or
or cardiomyocytes,
cardiomyocytes, are
are
specialized
specialized cells
cells that
that make
make upup the
the heart
heart muscle.
muscle.

• Cardiac muscle cells are normally polarized, with

the outside of the membrane being positive
relative to the inside.
• They spontaneously depolarize at a certain
rhythm without external input. (slow rhythm)
• This depolarization triggers the contraction of the
cell and is transmitted to adjacent cells,
facilitating coordinated heart contractions.
Heart
Heart contain
contain two
two main
main type
type of
of muscle
muscle cells
cells

 Slow-contracting muscle cells

• These cells constitute the majority of cardiac cells and
contract spontaneously at a slow rhythm without
external influence.
• This characteristic is vital for maintaining a steady heart
rate and overall cardiac function.
 Stimulant muscle cells, or pacemaker cells,

• These cells depolarize spontaneously at a rapid rate

but contract minimally.
• They are interconnected, forming clusters or networks
resembling nerve structures. This organization allows
for synchronized activity in the heart.
 The frequency of heartbeats is inversely
proportional to the size of an animal; larger animals
generally have slower heart rates, while smaller
animals tend to have faster rates. This relationship
reflects the metabolic demands of different species.

Elephant ~ 25 / min
Shrew (Musaraigne) ~ 600 / min

Human newborn ~ 140 / min

Valves
Pig valvules

Pig valve mounted on a polymer ring.

The valves are primarily made of connective tissue,

covered by a layer of simple squamous epithelium (the
endocardium).
Tomography with contrast injection is
used to visualize structures in the
body. Histology of aortic valve leaflets
 General Structure of Blood
Vessels
• Blood vessels of various sizes and should be
aware that the histological appearances of
vessels of different sizes (arterioles, arteries)
and different types (arteries ,veins) are different
from each other. These differences are the
result of quantitative variations of a common
structural pattern that can be seen in all blood
vessels with the exception of capillaries, i.e...
• the division of the walls of the blood
vessels into three layers or tunics .
These are arranged into three
concentric layers: intima, media and
adventitia.
The intima is the inner layer abutting
the vessel lumen. The adventitia is the
outer layer abutting the perivascular
soft tissue. The media is sandwiched
between the intima and adventitia
 Histology of the blood vessels

Blood vessels are The inner layer:

composed of three layers of simple squamous
tissue, known as tunics. epithelium.
 1. Arteries: histology

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away

from the heart to the capillaries. They are responsible
for delivering oxygenated blood (in most cases) to
tissues throughout the body.
The three layers of the arteries
Smal caliber
artery
 There are three classic types of arteries based on their
structure and function:

Elastic arteries: These are large arteries close to the heart

(like the aorta) and contain a high proportion of elastic
fibers. This allows them to stretch and recoil, helping to
maintain blood pressure during diastole.

Muscular arteries: These are medium-sized arteries that

distribute blood to various organs. They have a thicker layer
of smooth muscle.

Arterioles: These are the smallest arteries that lead to

capillaries. They play a key role in regulating blood flow and
pressure by constricting or dilating.
 500 mm <Ø <2-4
mm

Medium caliber artery

=/ Elastic
sides
Ø > 5mm

Big caliber artery: (elastic)

Nucleous of
smooth
muscular
fibers
Elastic artery: aorta
 Muscular artery

Muscular arteries, also known as distributing arteries, are

medium-caliber arteries that primarily function to distribute
blood to various organs and tissues. They have a thicker
muscular layer compared to elastic arteries,

Elastic
limitation
of
muscular
artery
 Histology:
Muscular artery
Medium caliber
artery
 Arterioles
are small-diameter blood vessels that lead from muscular
arteries to capillaries. Their histological structure is
significantly simplified compared to larger arteries. They have
a thinner muscular layer and fewer elastic fibers, allowing for
fine regulation of blood flow and pressure.

A histological
cross-section of
an arteriole
 Arteries: Histophysiology
•Regulation of pulsatile blood flow near the heart,
regular and continuous in peripheral arteries:
elastic arteries.
•Regulation of blood flow: control of blood
distribution according to the needs of medium and
small caliber arteries (muscular).
•Structural variations with age:
•Hypertension, arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis).
 Veins:
a key feature of veins is the presence of venous valves, which are
semilunar folds formed by local invaginations of the intima
combined with the media. These valves prevent backflow of
blood, ensuring unidirectional flow toward the heart, especially in
the limbs where blood must travel against gravity.
The histological structure of medium-caliber veins typically includes
three main layers:

Tunica intima - a thin inner layer lined with endothelial

cells.
Tunica media - a relatively thin middle layer composed of
smooth muscle and elastic fibers.
Tunica externa (adventitia) - the outer layer made of
connective tissue, providing support.
These veins also have valves to prevent backflow, ensuring efficient
blood return to the heart.
Medium and large caliber Veine
veins
V= Valvules
 Medium and Large-Caliber Veins
Medium-Caliber Veins:
Structure: Composed of three layers—tunica intima
(endothelial lining), tunica media (thin layer of
smooth muscle), and tunica externa (adventitia with
connective tissue).
Valves: Often contain valves to prevent backflow of
blood, facilitating venous return against gravity.
 Large-Caliber Veins:
Structure: Similar to medium veins but with a
larger lumen and a more pronounced tunica
externa. The tunica media is thinner relative to
the overall size.
Valves: More prominent valves to aid blood
flow, especially in the lower extremities.
Both types are crucial for maintaining venous
return and overall circulatory health.
 Veins: Histophysiology
Veins serve as a blood reservoir, holding about 70% of the total
blood volume. They play a crucial role in propelling blood
toward the heart, aided by several mechanisms:
Active Contraction: The venous walls contract under
sympathetic nervous system stimulation.
Inspiratory Movement: Breathing creates pressure changes
that help draw blood back to the heart.
Skeletal Muscle Massage: Contraction of skeletal muscles
compresses veins, facilitating blood flow.
Valves: Prevent backflow, ensuring one-way movement toward
the heart.
These features are vital for efficient circulation.
Capilaries: Small-Caliber Vessels
Small-caliber vessels, primarily capillaries, serve as the
junction between arteries and veins. They are the main sites
for exchange between tissues and blood, allowing nutrients,
gases, and waste products to move efficiently. Their thin
walls facilitate diffusion, ensuring that tissues receive oxygen
and nutrients while removing carbon dioxide and other
waste. •Flattened endothelial
cells
•Rounded in cross-
sectionMuscle and
adventitial layers absent
•Pericyte: contraction
•Capillary diameter: red
blood cell
general topography of capilary network