Table of Contents
- 1 What helps blood move through arteries?
- 2 What characteristics of an artery makes it able to perform its function?
- 3 How does the arteries structure help its function?
- 4 What is the most characteristic feature of the arteries?
- 5 Are arteries flexible?
- 6 Which is the main artery in the systemic circulation?
- 7 How does plaque affect the function of the arteries?
What helps blood move through arteries?
Blood primarily moves through the body by the rhythmic movement of smooth muscle in the vessel wall and by the action of the skeletal muscle as the body moves. Blood is prevented from flowing backward in the veins by one-way valves.
What are the features of artery that helps it to carry blood at high pressure?
All arteries have relatively thick walls that can withstand the high pressure of blood ejected from the heart. However, those close to the heart have the thickest walls, containing a high percentage of elastic fibers in all three of their tunics. This type of artery is known as an elastic artery (see Figure 3).
What characteristics of an artery makes it able to perform its function?
Arteries typically have a thicker tunica media than veins, containing more smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue. This allows for modulation of vessel caliber and thus control of blood pressure.
What keeps your arteries flexible?
Be active. Studies have found that aerobic exercise can help you maintain more flexible arteries, and offers a host of other heart-health benefits. At minimum, aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking (that’s 30 minutes per day five days per week).
How does the arteries structure help its function?
The artery has a narrow lumen and thick muscular walls to maintain the high pressure so that blood can be pushed far distances around the body. The artery is made up of a thick layer of smooth muscle which allows it to exert a high pressure during contraction.
Which best describes the arteries and veins?
Veins carry blood away from the heart, while arteries carry blood to the heart.
What is the most characteristic feature of the arteries?
| Artery | Vein |
|---|---|
| Have thick elastic, muscular walls. | Have thin, non-elastic walls. |
| Lumen is narrow. | Lumen is wide. |
| Carry blood from the heart to all body parts. | Carry blood from all body parts to the heart. |
| Carry oxygenated blood (except pulmonary artery). | Carry deoxygenated blood (except pulmonary vein). |
How is the artery adapted to its function?
Arteries take blood away from the heart to the organs and other body tissues. Arteries have a narrow internal diameter and thick muscular walls. This allows them to carry blood that is at a high pressure.
Are arteries flexible?
The more steps you take per day, the more flexible your arteries may be, a new study suggests. Elastic, flexible arteries are a sign of a healthy cardiovascular system, while stiff, inflexible arteries are a harbinger of heart disease.
How do arteries harden?
Atherosclerosis, sometimes called “hardening of the arteries,” occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These deposits are called plaques. Over time, these plaques can narrow or completely block the arteries and cause problems throughout the body.
Which is the main artery in the systemic circulation?
The pumping contractions of the heart propel the blood through the arteries. The main artery of the systemic circulation is the aorta. It is attached to the left ventricle of the heart and carries oxygenated blood. The aorta branches into arteries that go to different organs and parts of the body.
Why are arteries so important to the human body?
The thick, strong walls of arteries make them able to resist the high pressures that exist near the heart. All of the major organs in the body have their own special kind of arteries which are uniquely structured to deliver the supplies needed.
How does plaque affect the function of the arteries?
Blood travels through the hollow center of the arteries. If this hollow center becomes constricted due to overdevelopment of the muscle or the formation of plaques, it can raise blood pressure. Plaque also makes the arteries less flexible.
Which is the artery that carries oxygenated blood?
It is attached to the left ventricle of the heart and carries oxygenated blood. The aorta branches into arteries that go to different organs and parts of the body. You can feel your pulse in an artery such as the carotid artery in the neck or the radial artery in the wrist.