how do arteries and veins differ in their structure and function course hero

by Joanne Botsford 4 min read

However, the two blood vessels are quite different from each other in terms of function. One of the major differences between arteries and veins is that the arteries carry oxygenated blood to all body parts, whereas veins carry the deoxygenated blood to the heart with the exception of pulmonary arteries and veins. Table of Contents

Full Answer

What is the structure and function of the arteries and veins?

Arteries, veins, and capillaries differ in structure because of their different functions and locations in the body. Arteries have thick walls, to allow them to handle the high blood pressure. They are the closest to the heart and need to be strong enough to handle the strength of the heart. Arteries also contain smooth muscle, this is for strength and is ideal for blood pressure and flow.

What is the difference between blood pressure of arteries and veins?

Differences between Arteries and Veins Arteries Veins Valves no valves (except the pulmonary artery) possess valves along their length to prevent backflow of blood Lumen small large Differences between Arteries and Veins Arteries Veins Oxygenation of blood Blood is oxygenated (except in pulmonary artery) Blood is deoxygenated (except in pulmonary vein) Location deep …

What is the difference between an artery and a venule?

Dec 14, 2021 · Arteries and Veins are two different types of blood vessels in the circulatory system and are mainly involved in circulating blood throughout the body. However, the two blood vessels are quite different from each other in terms of function. One of the major differences between arteries and veins is that the arteries carry oxygenated blood to all body parts, …

Why does blood flow faster through arteries than through veins?

The arteries and veins are not useless. These, among other vessels, help to keep our organs in top shape. That is why damages done to these vessels can be fatal. Both the vein and artery perform the same function but in different ways. For instance, the artery helps to transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body.

What is the major difference between arteries and veins?

The arteries are responsible for carrying the oxygenated blood away from the heart to different organs. On the contrary, veins carry deoxygenated b...

What are the different types of veins in the human body?

Pulmonary veins, systemic veins, superficial veins and deep veins are the four different types of veins found in the human body.

Why is arterial blood loss more severe than the blood loss from the veins?

The blood pressure of the arteries is much greater than that in the veins. When an artery is cut, the blood spurts out with very high pressure and...

Where are the superficial and the deep veins located in the human body?

The superficial veins have very little muscle support and are found near the surface of the skin. The deep veins are located near the leg bones in...

Name the largest vein in the human body.

Inferior vena cava is the largest vein in the human body that carries blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.

Name the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart?

Arteries  are the blood vessels, which  carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all other cells, tissues and organs of the body.

Name the largest artery in the human body.

Aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It carries blood away from the heart to different parts of the body.

What are the different layers of arteries and veins?

The three different layers of arteries and veins are: The innermost layer or tunica intima. The middle layer or tunica media. The outermost layer o...

How are the arteries and veins connected?

The branches of Arteries and Veins are connected by very tiny blood vessels called capillaries.

What is the difference between arteries and veins?

One of the major differences between arteries and veins is that the arteries carry oxygenated blood to all body parts, whereas veins carry the deoxygenated blood to the heart with the exception of pulmonary arteries and veins.

What is the function of veins?

They are tube-like, translucent structures that function by carrying deoxygenated blood from the tissues to the heart for re-oxygenation. Compared to arteries, veins are thin-walled.

What are the different types of veins?

The different types of veins include: 1 Deep Veins: These are located deep within the muscle tissue. 2 Superficial Veins: These are closer to the surface of the skin. 3 Pulmonary Veins: These transport oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs. 4 Systemic Veins: These are present throughout the body and transport deoxygenated blood to the heart for purification.

Which blood vessels carry blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart, where it branches into even smaller vessels. Finally, the smallest arteries , called arterioles are further branched into small capillaries, where the exchange of all the nutrients, gases and other waste molecules are carried out.

Which organs carry oxygenated blood away from the heart?

The arteries are responsible for carrying the oxygenated blood away from the heart to different organs. On the contrary, veins carry deoxygenated blood from different organs of the body to the heart for oxygenation.

What is the difference between high and low pressure?

High pressure, as the blood flows by the pumping pressure of the heart. Low pressure, as the blood flows by the capillary action of the veins. Comparatively higher oxygen level. Comparatively low oxygen level. In the downward direction from the heart to the body tissues.

What is the difference between veins and arteries?

So the major difference here is the nature of the blood they both handle. Arteries manage oxygen-rich blood, but the vein is more concerned about making blood rich in oxygen, and thus, takes low oxygen blood from the body to the heart.

What is the function of veins and arteries?

Both the vein and artery perform the same function but in different ways. For instance, the artery helps to transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. The vein helps to make reoxygenation possible.

Which blood vessel has a narrow lumen?

The lumen of these two blood vessels also differs. The artery has a narrow lumen, although it might change based on one’s heartbeat. The vein has the opposite. Its lumen is wider.

What is the job of the artery and vein?

The work of the artery is to move oxygen-rich blood away from our dear heart, while the vein takes blood that has little to no oxygen back to the heart.

Which direction does blood flow?

Direction that blood flows via artery and vein. I already told you that the artery’s work is to move blood from the heart. Now when it does, it takes the blood to different areas of the body to be used. The vein does quite the opposite. It takes deoxygenated blood from different areas of the body back to the heart.

Does blood flow backwards?

So there is no way it will flow back. But, with the vein, it is an entirely different story. Blood that flows through the vein does so at low pressure. And as a consequence, there is a high tendency that blood might flow backward if nothing is done to stop it. That is why the vein has a valve.

What color is the artery?

The color of these two blood vessels also differs. And remember, I said that the artery helps to transport oxygenated blood. Because of that, the artery has a red color. The vein, on the other hand, transports deoxygenated blood to the heart. And as a result, its color is blue.

Structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins

Blood is pumped from the heart in the arteries. It is returned to the heart in the veins. The capillaries connect the two types of blood vessel and molecules are exchanged between the blood and the cells across their walls.

Controlling blood flow

In order to control blood flow through the vessels, the smooth muscle surrounding the arteries can constrict which causes vasoconstriction or they can relax which causes vasodilation.

Why are veins considered blood reservoirs?

In addition to their primary function of returning blood to the heart, veins may be considered blood reservoirs, since systemic veins contain approximately 64 percent of the blood volume at any given time. Their ability to hold this much blood is due to their high capacitance, that is, their capacity to distend (expand) readily to store a high volume of blood, even at a low pressure. The large lumens and relatively thin walls of veins make them far more distensible than arteries; thus, they are said to be capacitance vessels.

What is the function of venous valves?

Explain the structure and function of venous valves in the large veins of the extremities. Blood is carried through the body via blood vessels. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart , where it branches into ever-smaller vessels.

Why is an elastic artery also known as a conducting artery?

An elastic artery is also known as a conducting artery, because the large diameter of the lumen enables it to accept a large volume of blood from the heart and conduct it to smaller branches. Figure 3. Comparison of the walls of an elastic artery, a muscular artery, and an arteriole is shown.

How does vasodilation affect blood flow?

Similarly, vasodilation increases blood flow as the smooth muscle relaxes, allowing the lumen to widen and blood pressure to drop. Both vasoconstriction and vasodilation are regulated in part by small vascular nerves, known as nervi vasorum, or “nerves of the vessel,” that run within the walls of blood vessels.

Which side of the heart does the blood flow to?

The systemic circuit moves blood from the left side of the heart to the head and body and returns it to the right side of the heart to repeat the cycle. The arrows indicate the direction of blood flow, and the colors show the relative levels of oxygen concentration.

Where are fenestrated capillaries found?

Fenestrated capillaries are common in the small intestine, which is the primary site of nutrient absorption, as well as in the kidneys, which filter the blood. They are also found in the choroid plexus of the brain and many endocrine structures, including the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, and thyroid glands.

Why does blood pool in the lower limbs?

Despite the presence of valves and the contributions of other anatomical and physiological adaptations we will cover shortly, over the course of a day, some blood will inevitably pool, especially in the lower limbs, due to the pull of gravity. Any blood that accumulates in a vein will increase the pressure within it, which can then be reflected back into the smaller veins, venules, and eventually even the capillaries. Increased pressure will promote the flow of fluids out of the capillaries and into the interstitial fluid. The presence of excess tissue fluid around the cells leads to a condition called edema.

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What is the purpose of the pulmonary veins?

Purpose: deliver oxygenated blood to the left ventricle which will distribute it to the body. Clinical relations. Pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, hypoxia. In this article, we are going to discuss the gross and microscopic anatomy, ...

What is the characteristic of pulmonary arteries?

There is a unique characteristic of the pulmonary arteries is their response to hypoxia. Whereas systemic arteries will dilate in response to local hypoxia to improve tissue perfusion, pulmonary arteries will oppositely constrict instead. Presence of pulmonary hypoxia indicates that a part of the lung is not being ventilated properly.

What is the thickest layer of the tunica?

They have some smooth muscle in all three tunics. They have a relatively thin tunica media with only a moderate amount of smooth muscle; the tunica externa is the thickest layer and contains longitudinal bundles of smooth muscle.

How is pulmonary circulation different from systemic circulation?

The pulmonary circulation is different than systemic in context that within the pulmonary circulation veins carry oxygenated blood, whereas the arteries carry deoxygenated blood. The difference originates from the fact that every blood vessel that transports the blood from the periphery to the heart is a vein, whereas the vessel ...

Which vessels carry oxygenated blood to the heart?

The pulmonary arteries and the pulmonary veins are the vessels of the pulmonary circulation; which means they are responsible for carrying the oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs and carrying the deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

Where are the pulmonary veins located?

The right superior pulmonary vein passes in front of and a tad below the pulmonary artery at the root of the lung, and the inferior pulmonary vein is situated at the lowest part of the lung hilum.

What happens if the right ventricle pumps more blood into the lungs than the left ventricle can handle

However, if the right ventricle pumps more blood into the lungs than the left ventricle can handle in return, blood will accumulate in the lungs and cause pulmonary hypertension and edema.