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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of arteries in the circulatory system?
What is the main function of arteries in the circulatory system?
- They store blood for later use.
- They carry blood towards the heart.
- They carry blood away from the heart. (correct)
- They exchange gases and fluids.
Which blood vessel is known for being the largest in the body?
Which blood vessel is known for being the largest in the body?
- Venule
- Aorta (correct)
- Vein
- Capillary
What characteristic of capillaries allows for fluid and gas exchange?
What characteristic of capillaries allows for fluid and gas exchange?
- They are one cell thick. (correct)
- They have thick, elastic walls.
- They contain valves to regulate flow.
- They carry high-pressure blood.
Which type of blood vessel is primarily responsible for carrying blood back to the heart?
Which type of blood vessel is primarily responsible for carrying blood back to the heart?
What happens in capillaries during fluid exchange at the arteriole end?
What happens in capillaries during fluid exchange at the arteriole end?
What is the combined length of blood vessels in the circulatory system?
What is the combined length of blood vessels in the circulatory system?
Vasodilation refers to which of the following?
Vasodilation refers to which of the following?
What primary role do venules play in the circulatory system?
What primary role do venules play in the circulatory system?
What is the primary function of veins in the circulatory system?
What is the primary function of veins in the circulatory system?
Which statement correctly describes vasodilation?
Which statement correctly describes vasodilation?
What causes varicose veins?
What causes varicose veins?
Which is the largest vein in the human body?
Which is the largest vein in the human body?
What is a common result of an aneurysm rupturing?
What is a common result of an aneurysm rupturing?
What characterizes atherosclerosis?
What characterizes atherosclerosis?
Which function is primarily associated with venous valves?
Which function is primarily associated with venous valves?
What is the main outcome of vasoconstriction?
What is the main outcome of vasoconstriction?
Flashcards
Arteries
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.
Aorta
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Veins
Veins
Blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart.
Vena cava
Vena cava
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Vasodilation
Vasodilation
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Vasoconstriction
Vasoconstriction
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Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
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Aneurysm
Aneurysm
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Capillaries
Capillaries
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Venules
Venules
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Study Notes
Blood Vessels
- The circulatory system contains 96,000 km of blood vessels, enough to circle the world twice
- Blood vessels are categorized into three main types: arteries and arterioles; capillaries; venules and veins
- Arteries carry blood away from the heart, under high pressure. Their walls are thick and elastic. The aorta is the largest artery
- Arterioles are branches of arteries that carry blood to the capillaries. They are smaller than arteries
- Capillaries are the narrowest blood vessels in the circulatory system, only one cell thick. They facilitate gas and fluid exchange, between the blood and cells. Red blood cells pass through them single file
- Venules collect blood from capillaries and carry it to veins, which are slightly larger than venules. Veins have thinner walls than arteries
- Veins carry blood towards the heart, under low pressure. They contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
- Venous valves and skeletal muscle assist in moving blood back to the heart.
- The autonomic nervous system controls the diameter of blood vessels via vasodilation (widening, increasing blood flow) and vasoconstriction (narrowing, decreasing blood flow)
Blood Vessel Disorders
- Varicose veins: pooling of blood in veins due to malfunctioning valves
- Arteriosclerosis: group of disorders causing blood vessels to thicken, harden, and lose their elasticity
- Atherosclerosis: a type of arteriosclerosis due to fat deposits accumulating on the inner wall of blood vessels.
- Aneurysm: A bulge in a weakened blood vessel wall (mostly in arteries), potentially causing cell death (lack of oxygen/nutrients delivery). If in the brain, a stroke can result
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