Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Arteries
- Carry blood AWAY from the heart towards the cells of the body
- Arteries leaving the heart branch off in all directions
- The diameter of the lumen gets smaller the further it is from the heart
- The smallest branches of the arterial system are called arterioles and are the furthest away from the heart
- These can also be called peripheral arteries
- These small arteries differ in sizes therefore regulating the amount of blood flowing through it too a specific organ
- The blood pressure is highest closer to the heart
- Almost ALL arteries carry oxygenated blood
- EXCEPTIONS
- Pulmonary Artery carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
- Pregnancy: the umbilical Artery carries deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta
- Blood is pumped from the heart sending a pressure surge through the arteries
- Major arteries close to the heart to withstand the pressure
- Their walls contain elastic fibers so they can stretch and accommodate the great volume of blood
- Between surges the elastic fibers return to their original length, squeezing the blood so it can flow