Blood Vessels in the Circulatory System

Front

What are arteries?

Back

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues and organs of the body (except pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs).

Front

What is the function of arteries?

Back

Their thick, muscular walls help withstand and maintain the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart, allowing it to reach all areas of the body efficiently.

Front

What are arterioles?

Back

Arterioles are the smaller branches of arteries that connect to capillaries. They have muscular walls that are capable of constriction and dilation.

Front

What is the function of arterioles?

Back

Arterioles play a crucial role in regulating blood flow and pressure by adjusting their diameter, which controls the amount of blood entering the capillary networks and helps regulate systemic blood pressure.

Front

What are capillaries?

Back

Capillaries are the smallest and thinnest blood vessels, composed of a single layer of endothelial cells.

Front

What is the function of capillaries?

Back

Capillaries facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and surrounding tissues. Their thin walls allow these substances to pass through easily, supporting cellular function and health.

Front

What are veins?

Back

Veins are blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood back toward the heart (except pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart).

Front

What is the function of veins?

Back

Veins have thinner walls and a larger lumen compared to arteries. They contain valves that prevent backflow, helping blood return to the heart, often against gravity, at lower pressure.

Front

What are venules?

Back

Venules are small blood vessels that collect deoxygenated blood from capillaries and gradually merge to form veins.

Front

What is the function of venules?

Back

Venules help gather blood from capillary networks and transfer it into larger veins, facilitating the return of blood to the heart for reoxygenation.