blood vessels

• What are the three types of blood vessels?

  Arteries, veins, and capillaries
• What is the primary function of arteries?

  To take blood away from the heart
• What type of blood do arteries carry?

  High pressure, oxygen-rich blood
• What is the exception to arteries carrying blood away from the heart?

  The artery going to the lungs
• What do veins do?

  They take blood to the heart
• What type of blood do veins carry?

  Low oxygen, darker red blood
• What are capillaries?

  Tiny blood vessels for cell exchange
• Why is the outer layer thicker in veins?

  Veins are more likely to collapse
• What is the structure of arteries and veins?

  They have an outer layer of connective tissue
• Why is the muscle layer thicker in arteries?

  Arteries help pump blood and maintain pressure
• What type of muscle tissue do arteries and veins have?

  A layer of smooth muscle tissue
• What layer do all three types of blood vessels have on the inside?

  An endothelial layer
• What is atherosclerosis?

  A disease caused by fatty deposits in arteries
• What can atheroma lead to?

  Blood clots blocking arteries
• What are fatty deposits in atherosclerosis called?

  Atheroma
• What damages the endothelial tissue in atherosclerosis?

  Smoking and high blood pressure
• What major diseases can atherosclerosis cause?

  Coronary disease and strokes
• What happens when LDL cholesterol accumulates?

  The artery wall becomes inflamed
• What type of cholesterol accumulates in the artery wall?

  LDL cholesterol
• How does smoking contribute to atherosclerosis?

  It makes blood thicker and raises blood pressure
• What forms plaque in atherosclerosis?

  LDL cholesterol, white blood cells, and calcium
• What effect does plaque have on arteries?

  It narrows and lessens elasticity
• What is the result of narrowed arteries?

  Restricted blood flow and higher blood pressure
• Describe the structure of the three types of blood vessels.

  • Arteries:
  • Thick outer layer of connective and elastic tissue
  • Thicker smooth muscle layer
  • Endothelial layer inside
  • Veins:
  • Thicker outer layer than arteries
  • Smooth muscle layer
  • Endothelial layer inside
  • Capillaries:
  • Only an endothelial layer
• What are the effects of smoking on atherosclerosis?

  • Thickens blood
  • Raises blood pressure
  • Damages endothelial tissue
  • Increases risk of fatty deposits
• Describe how atherosclerosis develops.

  1. Endothelial tissue damage (smoking, high blood pressure)
  2. Accumulation of LDL cholesterol
  3. Inflammation and white blood cell response
  4. Formation of plaque (atheroma)
  5. Narrowing of arteries and restricted blood flow