Blood Vessels

Anastomosis - alternate routes of blood flow created by the joining of blood vessels

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Arteriole - tiny arteries that provide blood to capillaries

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Artery - blood vessels moving blood away from the heart

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Blood pressure - arterial pressure of the blood; the fluid pressure of the blood in the arteries

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Capillary - blood vessels the size of a single blood cell that allows for the exchange of nutrients and oxygen

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Hepatic portal system - the system where the blood from the arteries going to the digestive organs flows through a bed of capillaries that connect to the liver, where it flows into a vein

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Peripheral resistance - the resistance of the arterial system

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Pulmonary circuit - the loop of arteries and veins that transports blood between the heart and the lungs

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Pulse pressure - the difference between the systolic and diastolic pressures

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Respiratory pump - the process of inhalation causing blood to flow into the lungs and exhalation causing blood to flow into the right atrium

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System circuit - the loop of arteries and veins that transports blood between the heart and the body

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Valve - folds of endothelium that prevent backflow of the blood

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Vasoconstriction - when the muscle cells in the blood vessel contract

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Vasodilation - when the muscle cells in the blood vessel relax and the vessel expands

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Vein - blood vessels that bring blood back to the heart

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Venule - the smallest veins that connect the capillaries to bigger veins