Arteries Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Arteries?

Arteries are the blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. They are made up of three layers: an inner tunica intima, a middle tunica media, and an outer tunica adventitia. The walls of arteries are thicker than veins due to their increased pressure from being closer to the heart. The inner layer, or intima, is composed of a thin sheet of cells called endothelial cells that line the lumen and form a barrier between circulating blood and other organs in the body. These cells also produce nitric oxide which helps regulate blood flow and pressure within arterial walls. The middle layer, or media, consists of smooth muscle cells that can contract or relax depending on how much oxygen is needed by different parts of the body. This helps to control blood flow through various organs so they get enough oxygen but not too much. The outer layer, or adventitia, is composed largely of collagen fibers which provide support for arteries as well as protection from stretching when under pressure from circulating fluids. This layer also contains nerve endings which help signal changes in blood pressure to other parts of the body such as our heart rate and breathing rate. Arteries play an important role in our cardiovascular health by carrying oxygenated blood throughout our bodies so we can stay alive and healthy. Without them, we would not be able to function normally. So it’s important to take care of them by eating a balanced diet with lots vegetables and fruits while avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking or excessive drinking alcohol as these can cause damage over time leading to serious health problems like stroke or heart attack.