Arteries

Arteries

Structure and Function

• function = convey blood at a high pressure from the heart to the tissues of the body and lungs.

• Specialised structure to do so:
  • relatively narrow lumen (compared to relatively thick walls) - to maintain blood pressure.
  • relatively thick walls with outer layer of collagen - prevents artery rupturing under high pressure.
  • arterial wall contains inner muscle layer and elastic fibres - maintain pulse flow (can contract and stretch) 

Flow of Blood

Blood is expelled…