structure of the heart Flashcards
what do blood vessels do
Blood is carried around the body in blood vessels
what are the three types of blood vessels
Arteries
Veins
Capillaries
what do arteries do
Arteries transport oxygenated blood away from the heart
They are elastic and they stretch as the blood flows through before returning to normal. This is what gives you a pulse.
They have thick muscular walls to withstand pressure
what does Vasoconstriction mean
reducing the
diameter to
reduce blood
flow
what does Vasodilation mean
increasing the
diameter to
increase blood
flow
what do capillaries do
Capillaries join arteries and veins
They are tiny and have very thin walls
The walls are one cell thick to allow gas exchange
what do veins do
Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart
Much thinner walls than arteries (lower blood pressure than arteries)
Veins have valves that prevent the blood flowing backwards
what does blood pressure mean
Blood pressure is the force of blood travelling through an artery.
what are the two measurements of blood pressure
Systolic pressure Diastolic pressure
what does Diastolic pressure mean
the lower
measurement when the heart
rests between beats
what does Systolic pressure mean
the higher
measurement when the heart
beats, pushing blood through
the arteries
how is the heart split up
an up chamber is called an atrium
a lower chamber is called a ventricle
