An Artery – What You Need to Know 2024.
Overview
An artery is a blood vessel that takes blood away from the Heart to other parts of the body (e.g. Kidneys, Lungs, Liver, etc.). Please note that not all arteries carry blood from the heart to other body parts.
To remember this, you can borrow my phrase that says, “All arteries carry oxygenated blood except for the Pulmonary Artery and, all veins carry deoxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary vein”.
These two arteries carry deoxygenated to the organs they supply i.e. The Pulmonary Artery carries deoxygenated blood from the Heart to the Lungs while the pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the land back to the heart. The extracellular fluid (E.C.F) makes the volume flowing the arteries.
Arteries and Veins make up the circulatory system. Arteries are responsible for the delivery of Oxygen and nutrient to all cells of the body. Transportation of Proteins and cells of the immune system and maintenance of blood pH are also functions of arteries.
Blood pressure is determined by the combination of Cardiac Output (Heart Output) and peripheral vascular resistance in systemic circulation. Pressure in arteries varies during the cardiac cycle. It is highest when the heart muscles contract, and lowest when the heart muscles relax.
[the_ad id=”1812″]
Also, read on;
:::::::::::::::::: >>> Meningitis <<< ::::::::::::::::::
Structure of an Artery
Arteries have a lower lumen as compared to veins. This is to resist the pressure from the heart’s pumping force.
Arteries are can be divided into;
- Systemic Arteries – Carry blood from the Heart to the Rest of the body.
- Pulmonary arteries – carry blood from the Heart to the Lungs.
Arteries have three layers;
- Tunica Externa.
-
- This is the outermost layer.
- We can also call it Tunica Adventitia.
- It contains collagen fibres and elastic tissue
- The largest arteries contain small blood vessels supplying them.
- Tunica Media.
- Made up of elastic tissue (connective tissue proper), smooth muscles, and collagen fibres.
- Tunica Intima
- Is mostly made up of endothelial cells.
- Blood flow in contact with this layer.
[the_ad id=”1812″]
The lumen is the term we use to refer to the hollow cavity in which blood flows.
Also, this topic may interest you;
::::::::::::::::: >>> Neoplasm – Made really easy <<< ::::::::::::::::
Thank you. if the article was helpful, please leave a comment below.
Also, read;