Chapter 27 Blood Vessels Flashcards
1
Q
What is an artery?
A
Blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from the HEART to TISSUES of the body
2
Q
What is an arteriole?
A
Small branch of an artery that leads to the capillaries
3
Q
What is a capillary?
A
Connections between ARTERIOLES and VENULES
4
Q
What is a venule?
A
Small veins formed by the junction of several capillaries
5
Q
What is a vein?
A
A vessel formed by the junction of several venules
6
Q
Which blood vessel contains valves?
A
Veins
7
Q
What is the purpose of the valves that veins contain?
A
Allow blood flow toward the heart only
8
Q
Which blood vessel has the thinnest walls?
A
Veins
9
Q
What is a lumen?
A
The space within the blood vessels
10
Q
What changes do we see in the vessel walls when comparing arteries and veins?
A
- Arteries: Thicker walls; composed of smooth muscle and elastic fibers
- Veins: Thinner walls; small amount of smooth muscle and elastic fibers
11
Q
At what level does gas exchange take place?
A
At the capillary level
