Venous Return

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  • Venous Return Mechanisms
    • Smooth muscle
      • The layer of smooth muscle in the vein wall venoconstricts to create venomotor tone which aids the movement of blood
    • Muscle pump
      • During exercise, skeletal muscles contract compressing the veins located between them, squeezing the blood back to the heart
    • Pocket valves
      • One-way valves located in the veins which prevent the backflow of blood
    • Respiratory pump
      • During inspiration and expiration, a pressure difference between the thoracic and abdominal cavity is created, squeezing the blood back to the heart
        • As exercise increases respiratory rate, the respiratory pump is maximised
    • Gravity
      • Blood from the upper body, above the heart, is helped to return by gravity

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