Blood Vessels & Circulation Flashcards
What do arteries do?
Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except the pulmonary artery) and have thick walls to withstand high pressure.
What do veins do?
Carry deoxygenated blood toward the heart (except the pulmonary vein) and have valves to prevent backflow.
What are capillaries?
Tiny blood vessels where exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs.
What are arterioles?
Small arteries that control blood flow into capillaries.
What are venules?
Small veins that collect blood from capillaries.
What is the lumen?
The central space of a blood vessel where blood flows.
Tunica Intima
The inner layer of a blood vessel, consisting of endothelium
Tunica Media
The middle layer, made of smooth muscle and elastic fibres
Tunica Adventitia
The outer layer, composed of collagen, providing structural support
