BIOL 221 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Vasa Vasorum, Extracellular Fluid, Elastic Fiber

9 views2 pages

Document Summary

Arteries always carry blood away from the heart regardless of the oxygen levels of the blood in them. The largest arteries leaving the ventricles are elastic arteries, also called conducting arteries. These vessels branch to form muscular, or distributing, arteries. Continued branching leads to smaller arteries and eventually to smaller artery-like vessels called arterioles. Arterioles branch to form capillaries, sites of exchange of materials between plasma (of blood) and interstitial fluid (in tissues). After exchanging solutes, the capillaries join together to form small vessels called venules. Venules join together to form veins; veins return blood to heart regardless of the oxygen content. Elastic arteries include the aorta and its major branches (e. g. , brachiocephalic artery, femoral artery) as well as the pulmonary trunk. These large vessels have a very thick tunica externa with a well- developed vasa vasorum. They are also called conducting arteries because they carry blood rapidly away from the heart. Fluctuations in pressure are highest in elastic arteries.

Get access

Grade+
$40 USD/m
Billed monthly
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
10 Verified Answers
Class+
$30 USD/m
Billed monthly
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
7 Verified Answers

Related Documents

Related Questions