-
One of the vessels carrying blood from the heart to the tissues. There are two divisions: pulmonary; carry deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and systemic; carry oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
Arteries
-
A minute artery, especially one that, at its distal end, leads into a capillary. Small branch of an artery that communicates with a capillary network.
Arterioles
-
A form of squamous epithelium consisting of flat cells that line the blood and lymphatic vessels, the heart, and various other body cavities.
Endothelium
-
A decrease in the diameter of blood vessels, which decreases blood flow and raises blood pressure.
Vasoconstriction
-
Dilation of blood vessels, especially small arteries and arterioles.
Vasodilation
-
Fibers of nerves that innervate the smooth muscle in the walls of arteries and veins and thereby alter or preserve vascular tone.
Vasomotor Fibers
-
A tiny vein continuous with a capillary.
Venules
-
Any one of various membranous structures in a hollow organ or passage that temporarily close to permit the flow of fluid in one direction only.
Valves
-
Arteries are known as these because through the autonomic nervous system they are able to control blood flow through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
Resistance Vessels
-
Vessels carrying deoxygenated blood to the heart, except for the pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood.
Veins
-
Veins are known as these due to their ability to be used as blood reservoirs and contain greater diameter lumens.
Capacitance Vessels
-
An abnormal connection between an artery and the venous system.
Atriovenous Shunt
|
|
