What Are the Blood Vessels That Run From the Heart Through Your Body?
Blood vessels are hollow, tubal structures that transport blood throughout the body. Veins carry blood to the heart and the vessels that take blood into the body from the heart are called arteries.
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Function
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The arteries carry blood, which has been enriched with oxygen from the lungs, out to all of the body's tissues and organs.
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Structure
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Arteries have a tough outer surface, a muscular central portion and an interior portion made of epithelial cells, which are tightly packed cells that line body surfaces.
Pumping Action
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In addition to being a space for blood to move through, arteries help the heart move blood. The muscular portion of an artery expands and contracts to push blood through the system.
Pulse
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The pumping action of the arteries keeps time with the beating of heart, which is why you can take your pulse from arteries in your wrist or neck.
Atherosclerosis
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Atherosclerosis, a disease that affects arterial health, is characterized by the buildup of fat or calcium deposits, called plaques, on the arterial wall, obstructing blood flow.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Colin Davis
