The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the cardiovascular system and the types of blood vessels.

Arteries

Largest type of blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart.

Arterioles

Medium-sized blood vessels that branch from arteries and lead to capillaries.

Veins

Largest type of blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.

Venules

Medium-sized blood vessels that collect blood from capillaries and drain into veins.

Capillaries

Smallest blood vessels where gas exchange occurs with surrounding tissues.

Tunica intima

The slippery, thin layer of blood vessel walls.

Tunica media

The thicker layer of muscle in blood vessel walls.

Tunica externa (tunica adventitia)

Fibrous connective tissue layer that supports and protects blood vessels.

Muscular pumping

The contraction of muscles that helps to squeeze blood through veins.

Respiratory pumping

The expansion of the chest during inhalation that helps move blood in the veins.

Valves

Structures in larger veins that prevent the backflow of blood.

Shunt

A shortcut for blood flow from an artery to a vein.

True capillaries

The tiny portions of capillaries that participate in gas exchange.

Sphincters

Muscular structures between arterioles and shunts that restrict blood flow to tissues as needed.