2. Blood is made up of about 60% liquid (plasma) and 40% formed elements which consist of erythrocytes (red blood cells) leukocytes (white blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets)

3. Blood : *transports oxygen from the lungs *collects waste products and delivers it to the excretory organs for disposal *carries hormones from ductles glands *maintains fluid content of the tissue *regulates temperature

4. Blood is about 5 times as viscous as water and the color varies from bright red to dark purple depending on the oxygen content.

5. Plasma: This liquid portion of the blood is straw colored and is approximately 90% water and 10% solutes. Protein makes up the majority of the solutes. One of these proteins is fibrinogen which is important for blood clotting

6. If the clotting factors are removed the resulting liquid is called serum

7. Blood cells: all blood cells begin as stem cells, which are undifferentiated cells. In young animals blood cells are produced in all bone marrow. In adults blood cells are produced in red bone marrow

8. Proerythrocytes=erythrocytes myeloblasts=granulocytes lymphoblasts=lymphocytes monoblasts=monocytes megakaryoblasts=thrombocytes

9. Erythrocytes are non-nucleated biconcave disks that carry hemoglobin. This iron containing pigment combines with oxygen and gives blood the red color. Hemoglobin not only combines with oxygen in the lungs to carry it throughout the body but also combines with carbon dioxide and carries it to the lungs for disposal

10. The average life span of erythrocytes is 120 days but can vary. If iron is lacking then the hemoglobin is reduced as well as the total number of erythrocytes resulting in a decreased ability to carry oxygen and waste

14. Leukocytes: Everybody say “yeah for leukocytes!!!!!!”

15. There are five types of leukocytes and they are divided into two groups: Granulocytes Agranulocytes

16. Granulocytes: these originate in the bone marrow and contain fine granules. These are further classified based on staining characteristics.

17. Segmented neutrophils: These cells are the first line of defense and phagocytize invaders as well as build a wall against invaders

18. Eosinophils: These detoxify foreign proteins from allergens or parasitic infections.

19. Basophils: These have purple to blue staining granules. There function isn’t clear but they may prevent coagulation in blood vessels

20. Agranulocytes: “yeah agranulocyte, it’s your birthday, !!!!!!!” These cells originate in the lymph system and have a round or horseshoe shaped nucleus

21. Lymphocyte: These have a rounded nucleus and function in phagocytosis and immune response.

22. Monocytes: these have a horseshoe shaped nucleus and function primarily as phagocytes

23. Platelets (thrombocytes) these cells originate in the bone marrow and function in the clotting mechanism. Clotting is a result of a chemical reaction. Platelets attach to an injured blood vessel and release substances that contract blood vessels.

25. Blood is grouped into types named for the antigens found on the cell membranes. The purpose of matching is to find a match before giving blood transfusions.

26. Rh factor: in some animals there is a reaction of antibodies from the dam. These animals exhibit destruction of erythrocytes.

27. Blood pressure: his is the force exerted by the heart in pumping the blood through the blood vessels. Systolic pressure is produced by the blood pressing against the walls of the arteries during contraction of the ventricles and diastolic is pressure is produced against the artery walls during ventricular relaxation

28. The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure is called the pulse pressure. Diastolic is considered more important medically because it shows the least amount of pressure to the artery walls. An elevation in blood pressure is called hypertension and a low blood pressure is called hypotension

29. The pulse: This is produced by the blood pumping out of the heart and into the aorta. This increases and decreases the pressure on the walls of the aorta which expands as blood enters and relaxes as it leaves.

30. Circulation: systemic circulation: blood circulating from the left ventricle to aorta, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, vemules, veins and returning to the right atrium

31. Portal circulation: The circuit through the abdominal digestive organs. Blood from veins and organs is carried to the liver via the portal vein. The hepatic veins carry the blood to the caudle vena cava, back to the right atrium

33. Pulmonary circulation: blood enters the right atrium to right ventricle to pulmonary artery which has two branches, one branch for each lung. Blood is oxygenated and returned to the left atrium and ventricle via the pulmonary vein.

35. It takes about one minute for the blood to make a complete cycle. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. The aorta branches into other arteries that supply blood to all of the systems

36. Right and left common carotid arteries. These supply the right and left side of the head

37. The external iliac arteries branch to the femoral arteries. These supply blood to the hind legs and are used for taking an animal’s pulse

38. Superficial veins include the internal and external jugular veins. The external jugular vein is commonly used for venapuncture

39. The saphenous vein drains into the femoral vein and returns blood from the hindlegs. The saphenous vein is commonly used for venapuncture in felines

40. The lyphatic system: This system is made of fluid called lymph. Lymph is rich in white blood cells and is circulated through the body by the lymphatic system.

41. The lymph glands are enclosed fibrous capsules. They are identified by their location. Superficial nodes are palpable (submandibular, axillary, popliteal, inguinal)

42. The lymph nodes act as filters to remove bacteria and other foreign bodies, including malignant cells. They are seen or felt when they are inflamed or swollen by ingested bacteria. If they are swollen and painful: an acute reaction is indicated If they swollen, lobulated and not painful: a chronic reaction is indicated

43. Another important function of the lymph glands is to manufacture lymphocytes and monocytes.. The lymphatic system is very important for the body’s defense against infection

44. The Spleen: The spleen is a large, flattened glandlike organ located on the left side of the abdominal cavity. It is the largest structure in the lymphoid system. It’s primary functions are:

45. Hemopoiesis: The formation of lymphocytes, monocytes and plasma cells.

46. Phagocytosis: The removal and destruction of microorganisms, faulty platelets, and old erythrocytes. It also salvages the contents of destroyed erythrocytes to reuse.

47. The Tonsils: These are three pairs of small round masses of lymphoid tissue that filter out foreign bacteria and play a part in forming lymphocytes. The palatine: located in the back of the throat The lingual: located at the root of the tongue The pharyngeal: located at the back of the roof of the pharynx

48. The Thymus: This is a structure of lymph tissue located cranial to the heart. It plays an important role in the immune system by producing cells that destroy foreign substances and forming lymphocytes. It’s maximum development is in young animals. It then begins to atrophy and has almost disappeared by extreme old age