Arteries

Carry blood AWAY from the heart towards the cells of the body
1. Arteries leaving the heart branch off in all directions
  1. The diameter of the lumen gets smaller the further it is from the heart
    1. The smallest branches of the arterial system are called arterioles and are the furthest away from the heart
      1. 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
    2. The blood pressure is highest closer to the heart
Almost ALL arteries carry oxygenated blood
1. EXCEPTIONS
  1. Pulmonary Artery carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
  2. 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
1. Major arteries close to the heart to withstand the pressure
  1. Their walls contain elastic fibers so they can stretch and accommodate the great volume of blood
    1. Between surges the elastic fibers return to their original length, squeezing the blood so it can flow

Resource summary

	Created by giorgi.rebecca about 11 years ago