Arteries

Notes

Arteries Learning Point 3. Describe arteries and state how they are structurally fit to perform their function. Arteries are blood vessels with thick and elastic walls that carry blood from the heart to all the organs and tissues of the body. Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; however, there are few exceptions, such as the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery is an artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs, where gas exchange takes place (Figure 4.2). Because the heart forcefully pumps blood into the arteries, pressure within the arteries is high. Arteries have strong and thick walls to withstand this high blood pressure and to avoid bursting. The arterial walls also contain layers of elastic fibers that allow arteries to stretch as blood is forced into Arteriole- Pulmonary artery Vein carrying blood from body organs to the heart them by heart contractions and then recoil as the heart relaxes and blood pressure decreases. The rhythmical throbbing or the pulse that can be felt at the inside part of the wrist is due to the stretching and recoiling of arteries with every heartbeat. Arterial walls also contain smooth muscle cells that can contract and rela...