Concept explainers
To test your knowledge, discuss the following topics with a study partner or in writing ideally from memory.
21.1 General Anatomy of the Blood Vessels
1. The meaning of arteries, capillaries, and veins with respect to the route of blood flow from and back to the heart
To analyze:
The meaning of arteries, capillaries, and veins.
Introduction:
The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system that carries blood all over the human body. There are three main categories of blood vessels- arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Explanation of Solution
Arteries are defined as the efferent vessels of the cardiovascular system that carry blood from the heart to the tissues. The arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to the body and the pulmonary artery carries oxygen-deficient blood to the lungs. They branch many times and get smaller as they bring blood from the heart to the organs.
Veins are defined as the afferent vessels which return blood to the heart. Blood in the veins contains less oxygen and is rich in waste products that need to be expelled from the body, exception is the pulmonary vein that carries oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart. They become larger when they get closer to the heart.
Capillaries are thin-walled, microscopic vessels that connect arteries with the veins. They allow carbon dioxide, oxygen, nutrients and other waste products to pass from the cells.
Arteries, veins, and capillaries are the three main categories of blood vessels that transport blood cells, oxygen, and nutrients to the tissues and carry carbon dioxide and waste products away from the tissues.
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Chapter 21 Solutions
HUMAN ANATOMY
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