Blood Circulation and Arteries

Study Notes

Blood Circulation

The circulatory system transports blood throughout the body, carrying oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood towards the heart.
Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, while pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, branching into smaller arteries that eventually lead to capillaries.
Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where gas exchange and nutrient exchange occur.
Veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart, starting with venules and joining into larger veins.
The vena cava is the largest vein in the body, carrying deoxygenated blood back to the heart.

Arteries

Elastic Arteries:
- Two main elastic arteries: pulmonary artery and aorta.
- High elasticity allows for constant pressure despite heartbeats.
- Thick walls help maintain pressure.
- The aorta branches into the ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta, supplying blood to different parts of the body.
- Baroreceptors within the aorta sense wall stretch and regulate blood pressure.
Muscular Arteries:
- Deliver blood to specific areas of the body.
- Contain smooth muscle tissue that allows for expansion and contraction to control blood pressure and direct blood flow.
Arterioles:
- Smallest arteries, branching from muscular arteries.
- Contain primarily smooth muscle tissue.
- Connect to capillaries for gas and nutrient exchange.

Veins

Deep Veins:
- Located deep within the body.
- Thinner walls with less smooth muscle and elastic tissue compared to arteries.
- Can be larger than arteries, holding approximately 75% of total blood volume.
- Contain valves to prevent backflow of blood.
Superficial Veins:
- Visible under the skin.
- Similar structure to deep veins but can swell easier due to lack of surrounding muscle tissue.
Pulmonary Veins:
- Carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart, unlike other veins.

Description

Explore the intricacies of the circulatory system, including the roles of arteries and veins in transporting blood throughout the body. This quiz covers the anatomy and functions of major blood vessels, as well as the process of gas exchange in capillaries.