Table of Contents
Arteries
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart. Why Arteries Have Thick Walls .
Capillaries
The smallest blood vessels in the body, capillaries connect the arterial and venous systems and allow for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and tissues.
Wall of Arteries
- The wall of arteries is made up of three layers: the intima, the media, and the adventitia.
- The intima is the innermost layer and is made up of a single layer of endothelial cells. These cells are very thin and line the entire interior surface of the artery. The endothelial cells are important because they produce a layer of sticky substance called the endothelium that helps keep blood from clotting.
- The media is the middle layer and is made up of a thick layer of smooth muscle cells. These cells help to control the size of the artery and also help to keep the blood flowing in the correct direction.
- The adventitia is the outermost layer and is made up of a thin layer of connective tissue. This layer helps to support the artery and attaches it to the surrounding tissues.
- Why Arteries Have Thick Walls.
