Artery Categories and Functions

One-way valves in veins

Aid blood flow back to the heart

Veins

Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart

Arteries

Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart

Categories of Arteries

Conducting arteries (elastic arteries), Distributing arteries (muscular arteries), Arterioles (resistance vessels)

Vasoconstriction

Constriction of blood vessels, increases peripheral resistance

Vasodilation

Dilation of blood vessels, decreases peripheral resistance

Blood Pressure

Force exerted by blood against the walls of blood vessels

Atrial natriuretic peptide

Hormone that causes blood pressure to drop

Aldosterone

Hormone that causes blood pressure to rise

Fastest Blood Flow

In arteries

Slow Blood Flow

In capillaries

Tunica intima

Innermost layer of both arteries and veins

Smooth Muscle

Muscle type present in the middle layer of arteries and veins

Arterial Constriction

Narrowing of arteries, increases peripheral resistance

Vein Valves

Prevent backflow of blood in veins

Blood Flow Regulation

Regulating the diameter of blood vessels

Large veins

Result from the convergence of medium-sized veins, have thick tunica externa

Medium-sized veins

Result from the convergence of venules, have thicker walls and one-way valves

Capillaries

Smallest blood vessels, site of exchange between blood and tissues

Venules

Smallest veins, collect blood from capillaries

Vascular Compliance

Veins' capacity to store varying amounts of blood with almost no change in pressure

Categories of Veins

Venules, Medium-sized veins, Large veins

Arterial Dilation

Widening of arteries, decreases peripheral resistance