What are the main types of arteries and their functions?

Arteries are classified into three main types: elastic arteries (e.g., aorta) are large conducting vessels that accommodate pressure changes; muscular arteries (e.g., radial artery) are medium-sized distributing vessels that regulate blood flow to organs; and arterioles are small resistance vessels that control peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

What are the three layers of an artery wall?

Artery walls consist of three concentric layers: tunica intima (inner endothelial lining), tunica media (thick middle layer of smooth muscle and elastic fibers), and tunica adventitia (outer connective tissue layer containing vasa vasorum and nerves).

How do arteries differ from veins?

Arteries differ from veins in several ways: arteries carry blood away from the heart, have thicker walls with more muscle and elastic tissue, have smaller lumens relative to wall thickness, and lack valves (except at the heart), while veins return blood to the heart and contain valves to prevent backflow.

What are the key pulse palpation sites and their clinical significance?

Key arterial pulse sites include carotid (neck, used in shock/cardiac arrest), radial (wrist, most accessible), brachial (elbow, for blood pressure), femoral (groin, for vascular access), and popliteal (behind knee, assesses lower limb circulation).

How are arteries supplied with blood and nerves?

Arteries receive blood supply via vasa vasorum (tiny arteries in adventitia) for outer layers, while inner layers get nutrients via diffusion from flowing blood. They receive nerve supply from autonomic nervi vasorum - mostly sympathetic fibers that regulate vascular tone through vasoconstriction.

What are some common arterial disorders?

Common arterial disorders include arteriosclerosis (age-related hardening of arterial walls), atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the tunica intima), and syphilitic aneurysm (damage to vasa vasorum leading to aortic wall weakening).

What is the functional classification of blood vessels?

Blood vessels are functionally classified as: conducting vessels (elastic arteries that transmit blood from the heart), distributing vessels (muscular arteries that direct blood to organs), resistance vessels (arterioles that regulate blood pressure), exchange vessels (capillaries for gas/nutrient exchange), and capacitance vessels (veins that hold most blood volume).

Arteries – Wall Structure, Types & Pulse Points

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