arteries Flashcards
what are some general properties of arteries?
they help to carry blood away from the heart, and contains oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary and umbillical artery
what is the innermost layer of the artery
it is known as the endothelium, which helps to reduce resistance to fluid flow
what is the middle layer of the artery
it consists of smooth muscle tissue and elastic fibres. the smooth muscle tissue allows the diameter of the vessel to be adjusted to bring about vasodilation or vasoconstriction, and this controls the blood pressure inside the vessel and regulate blood flow. the numerous elastic fibres provides elasticity for the blood vessel to dilate, stretch and recoil to enable it to withstand increases in blood pressure. its ability to stretch and recoil also maintains the high blood pressure
what is the outermost layer of the artery
it consists of connective tissue like collagen fibres
