the vascular system Flashcards
1
Q
what is an arteriole
A
when arteries branch off into smaller blood vessels. they can increase their diameter through vasodilation or decrease the diameter through vasoconstriction.
2
Q
what is an artery
A
a high pressure vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the tissues
3
Q
what is a vein
A
low pressure vessels that return blood back to the heart
4
Q
what are venules
A
smallest veins and transport blood from the capillary bed into the veins
5
Q
what is arterio-venous oxygen difference
A
the difference in oxygen content between the arterial and venous blood. it is an indication of how much oxygen is removed from the blood in capillaries as the blood circulates around the body
