Blood vessels Flashcards
what are the three types of blood vessels
arteries
veins
capillaries
What are the characteristics of arteries
thick muscular walls
elastic tissue in muscle wall
small lumen
high blood pressure
blood flows in pulses as a result of elastic tissue
No valves
what does having lots of elastic tissue mean
the walls can stretch and recoil.
This means that as blood is pumped it stretches and behind it recoils.
What are the characteristics of veins
Thin muscular walls
little elastic tissue
large lumen
low pressure of blood
no pulse
valves
what are structural points for arteries and veins
smooth inner layer of endothelium
protective outer layer
what gives blood in veins extra push
contraction of muscles
what do capilaries have strucurally
no valves
one cell thick endothelium
no muscle
small lumen for one red cell
what do capilaries have strucurally
no valves
one cell thick endothelium
no muscle
small lumen for one red blood cell
where are capillaries found
between arteries and veins
what happens at capillaries
gas exchange
Where is blood pressure lowest in body
capillaries, allows for more time for substance to diffuse across
What is specialised about endothelium cells
they are flattened for shorter diffusion distance
