What are the characteristics and functions of an artery?

What are the characteristics and functions of an artery?

The arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues of the body. Each artery is a muscular tube lined by smooth tissue and has three layers: The intima, the inner layer lined by a smooth tissue called endothelium.

What are the functions of arterioles?

Arterioles contribute to maintaining mean arterial pressure and tissue perfusion as they are the essential site of total peripheral resistance. By increasing or decreasing the diameter, they also play a principal role in regulating blood flow in an organ or tissue-specific manner.

What is the function of a Venule?

A venule is a small blood vessel in the microcirculation that allows deoxygenated blood to return from capillary beds to larger blood vessels called veins. Venules range from 8 to 100μm in diameter and are formed when capillaries come together.

What is the function of arterioles in the body?

Arterioles are abundant microscopic blood vessels that regulate the flow of blood into the capillary networks of the body’s tissues. The thin walls of capillaries allow the exchange of substances between the blood and body tissues.

How are arterioles related to the capillary system?

Arterioles also known as the “resistance” blood vessels, are small-diameter arteries (diameters that range in size from 15 μm to 300 μm). Arterioles are the primary site for control of blood flow. Arterioles are abundant microscopic blood vessels that regulate the flow of blood into the capillary networks of the body’s tissues.

Why are arterioles thicker than arteries and venules?

Different types of blood vessels vary slightly in their structures, but they share the same general features. Arteries and arterioles have thicker walls than veins and venules because they are closer to the heart and receive blood that is surging at a far greater pressure ( Figure 20.1.2 ).

How are arterioles related to high blood pressure?

Overview of Arterioles in Blood Pressure 1 Tracing the Blood Flow. The circulatory system is a “closed” system,… 2 Arteriole Disorders. When the body is functioning as it should, the arterioles help ensure… 3 A Word From Verywell. If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure,…

What is the function of arteries and veins?

Arteries and veins are the part of circulatory system. The function of the arteries is to carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body with exception to pulmonary and umbilical arteries which carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

What is the difference between arteries and capillaries?

Arteries are always moving blood away from the heart, while veins are always moving blood towards the heart. Capillaries, on the other hand, act as intermediaries, connecting arterioles and venules .

What are the major systemic arteries?

The aorta is the main systemic artery and the largest artery of the body. It originates from the heart and branches out into smaller arteries which supply blood to the head region (brachiocephalic artery), the heart itself (coronary arteries), and the lower regions of the body.

What are the characteristics of arteries?

Characteristic Features of Arteries: Arteries are thick-walled, being uniformly thicker than the accompanying veins, except for the arteries within the cranium and vertebral canal where these are thin. Their lumen is smaller than that of the accompanying veins, Arteries have no valves.