title: Observing and understanding arterial and venous circulation differences in a physiology laboratory activity.
abstract: The purpose of the present article is to describe three simple practical experiments that aim to observe and discuss the anatomic and physiological functions and differences between arteries and veins as well as the alterations observed in skin blood flow in different situations. For this activity, students were divided in small groups. In each group, a volunteer is recruited for each experiment. The experiments only require a sphygmomanometer, rubber bands, and a clock and allow students to develop a hypothesis to explain the different responses to the interruption of arterial and venous blood flow. At the end, students prepare a short report, and the results are discussed. This activity allows students to perceive the presence of physiology in their daily lives and helps them to understand the concepts related to the cardiovascular system and hemodynamics.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Altermann
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rithiele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcus Vinícius S
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lara
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ben-Hur S
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Group, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil pamelacarpes@unipampa.edu.br.
authors.forename: Pâmela B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Mello-Carpes
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D032882:Comprehension; D003479:Curriculum; D004517:Education, Professional / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D007858:Learning; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: blood flow; blood pressure; skin color