Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Venous System

Venous physiology and pathophysiology are described in relationship to two main functions of the peripheral veins – venous volume and venous return. These two interconnected functions are determined by basic physiological characteristics of venous vessels such as compliance, capacitance, and resistance. Special attention is paid to the role of the valves as modulators of venous function. Pathological changes in the vein wall in primary and postthrombotic disease and the resultant changes in venous function are described, but the details of the molecular mechanisms are left for further reading.

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Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Venous System

Venous Physiology and Pathophysiology

The Biomechanics of Venous Remodeling

Abbreviations

Ability of a vein to increase its volume in response to a change in transmural pressure.

The difference in pressure between two sides of the vein wall.

The phasic changes in flow and in geometrical configuration of venous valves during the time period between two consecutive closures of the valve.

The ratio of the total energy gradient across the venous segment over the flow rate through this segment.

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Further Reading

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