American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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What is compliance in the context of blood vessels?

  1. Change in pressure over change in volume

  2. Change in volume over change in pressure

  3. Change in temperature over change in volume

  4. Change in volume over change in time

The correct answer is: Change in volume over change in pressure

In the context of blood vessels, compliance refers to the ability of a blood vessel to expand and accommodate changes in blood volume without a significant increase in internal pressure. It is mathematically defined as the change in volume of the vessel divided by the change in pressure applied to that vessel. When blood volume increases, such as during the filling phase of the heart, compliant blood vessels (like veins) can stretch to hold the extra volume without a rapid rise in pressure. This property is crucial for maintaining adequate blood flow and pressure throughout the circulatory system, especially in accommodating the pulsatile nature of blood flow generated by the heart. The chosen answer effectively captures this definition, emphasizing the relationship between volume change and pressure change. Understanding compliance is vital for addressing various cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension and heart failure, where the elasticity and responsiveness of blood vessels are critical.

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