blood vessels Flashcards
what are arteries
vessel that carries blood away from the heart
what are veins
vessel carrying blood away from tissues toward the heart
what is the vascular system
system of closed blood vessels
what are capillaries
minute blood vessel, connects arterioles with venules, site of exchange IF & blood
what are arterioles
minute arteries
what are venules
small vein, drained capillary beds, empty into veins
what are capillary beds
clusters of capillaries
what is lumen
interior of the vessel
what are the 3 blood vessels walls
tunica intima, tunica media, tunica externa
what is tunica intima
lines lumen (interior of vessels), thin layer of endothelium (inner layer)
what is tunica media
middle layer, smooth muscle(constrict or dilate) and elastic fibers (middle layer)
what is tunica externa
outermost layer, fibrous connective tissue, support and protect vessels (external layer)
