This note offers a clear, concise breakdown which focuses and provides essential information of the circulatory system, focusing on the structure and function of the blood vessels - arteries, veins and capillaries. This also explains their role in transporting blood around the body.
➢ In the closed circulatory system blood flows continuously to the organs in tubes called blood
vessels.
➢ The blood vessels allow blood to be delivered rapidly and efficiently to all body cells.
➢ There are 5 types of blood vessels: arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules and veins.
➢ Draw a sketch to show the arrangement of these blood vessels in the human body:
➢ The main blood vessels are the arteries, veins and capillaries. These each have special features
that enable them to carry out their specific functions.
(1) The Arteries
➢ Carry blood at higher pressure away from the heart.
➢ The arteries have a special structure that enables them to carry blood at higher blood
pressure.
➢ Label the general parts of an artery on the diagram below:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
1
, ➢ The arteries leaving the heart branch off in every direction, and the lumen becomes smaller
the further the arteries are away from the heart.
➢ Blood is pumped out from the heart into the arteries at approximately 70 beats per minute.
➢ Each heartbeat sends a high-pressure flow of blood into the arteries.
➢ Arteries have many special features that enable them to carry blood at higher pressure, so
that they deliver molecules (oxygen, glucose, amino acids etc.) as rapidly as possible to meet
the metabolic demands of a multicellular animal.
(a) An outer layer: The Tunica Adventitia or Tunica Externa
➢
(b) A middle layer: The Tunica Media:
➢
(c) An inner layer: The Tunica Intima:
➢
(d) A hole in the middle: The lumen:
➢
2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller JuliaMedia. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $6.43. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
