Circulatory System
The purpose of the circulatory system is to deliver oxygen and nutrients
throughout the body and to remove waste products.
Your arteries are muscular tubes that vary in size and extend into all
parts of your body. They carry oxygen and nutrient enriched blood to your
muscles and organs.
Veins are collapsible tubes that carry waste products and deoxygenated
blood from your muscles and organs back to the heart and lungs.
Peripheral Circulation/Venous
Valves
There are three primary parts to the peripheral venous system. The deep
venous system, superficial venous system and the perforator/communicator veins.
All of these systems return blood back from your arms and legs to your heart.
When you breath and move your arms and legs blood is propelled toward your
heart. Valves inside your veins help prevent your blood from flowing
backward into your arms and legs. Sometimes these valves become damaged and can
no longer prevent the backward flow of blood into your arms and leg. This is
called venous valvular incompetence and may cause varicose veins and or swelling
in the affected extremity.
Deep Venous System
The deep veins are well supported by muscle tissue and protected by the bones
in your body. These veins have a direct route back to your heart and lungs.
Superficial Venous
System
The superficial veins lie close to the skin and are not as well protected or
supported. These veins do not have a direct route back to the heart. They lead
back to the heart by either connecting to the deep veins or by connecting
through a perforator/communicator veins.
Thrombus (Blood
Clots)
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis occurs within the deep venous system of the legs and
arms. These clots can form for several reasons: injury to
blood vessels, medications you may be taking, recent surgeries and immobility.
This type of blood clot is the most significant due to the fact these clots have
a direct route to the heart and lungs if they break off into the blood stream.
Superficial Vein Thrombosis
Superficial vein thrombosis occurs within the superficial venous system of
the legs and arms. This type of blood clot is usually self limiting and does not
have a direct connection to the heart and lungs. Therefore, it is not as significant as a
deep vein thrombosis.
Risk Factors
Changes in medications
History of venous thrombosis
Obesity
Pregnancy
Prolonged bed rest or immobilization
Surgery
Trauma to blood vessel
Venous Examination (Click here
to see what you can expect at your test.)
