Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

19. The Blood Vessels

Arteries

Anatomy & Physiology

19. The Blood Vessels

Arteries

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Problem 22

Textbook Question

Relate the anatomical differences between arteries and veins to their functions.

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Identify the primary functions of arteries and veins: arteries carry blood away from the heart, typically oxygenated blood (except in the case of pulmonary arteries), while veins return blood to the heart, typically deoxygenated blood (except in the case of pulmonary veins).

Examine the structural differences in the walls of arteries and veins: arteries have thicker walls with more smooth muscle and elastic fibers to withstand higher pressure from blood being pumped by the heart, while veins have thinner walls and less smooth muscle since they operate under lower pressure.

Discuss the presence of valves in veins: veins contain valves to prevent backflow of blood as it moves toward the heart, especially in the lower extremities where blood must travel against gravity. Arteries do not have valves because the high pressure ensures unidirectional flow.

Relate the lumen size to function: arteries have smaller lumens relative to their wall thickness to maintain high pressure for efficient blood flow, while veins have larger lumens to accommodate the lower pressure and larger volume of blood returning to the heart.

Connect the elasticity of arteries to their role in maintaining blood pressure: the elastic fibers in arterial walls allow them to stretch and recoil, helping to maintain consistent blood pressure during the cardiac cycle. Veins, lacking significant elasticity, rely on surrounding skeletal muscle contractions to assist blood flow.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Arterial Structure

Arteries have thick, muscular walls that are elastic, allowing them to withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart. This structure enables arteries to maintain blood flow and pressure, facilitating efficient transport of oxygenated blood to various body tissues.

Venous Structure

Veins possess thinner walls compared to arteries and have larger lumens, which accommodate the lower pressure of blood returning to the heart. Many veins also contain valves that prevent backflow, ensuring that blood moves in one direction despite the lower pressure, which is crucial for effective circulation.

Functional Implications

The structural differences between arteries and veins directly relate to their functions in the circulatory system. Arteries are designed for high-pressure transport of oxygen-rich blood away from the heart, while veins are adapted for the low-pressure return of deoxygenated blood, highlighting the importance of their anatomical features in maintaining efficient blood circulation.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.

Increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions and a decreased concentration of oxygen in the interstitial fluid cause local arteriolar constriction.

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

Which of the following are associated with aging?

a. Increasing blood pressure

b. Weakening of venous valves

c. Arteriosclerosis

d. Collapse of the ductus arteriosus

408

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

A stroke that occludes a posterior cerebral artery will most likely affect

a. Hearing

b. Vision

c. Smell

d. Higher thought processes

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Open Question

Hannah, a newborn baby, needs surgery because she was born with an aorta that arises from the right ventricle and a pulmonary trunk that issues from the left ventricle, a condition called transposition of the great vessels. What are the physiological consequences of this defect?

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Activity

Major arteries of the systemic circulation