The blood vessels

Blood vessels serve as the transport medium within the body. They move blood from the heart to the entire body and back to the heart. They also provide a physical site for gases, nutrients, and other substances to be exchanged between the blood and the tissues. Any disturbance associated with blood flow would result in tissue injury and subsequent loss of bodily functions. This chapter compares the blood vessel wall of an artery with that of a vein and a capillary, and lists the different types of capillaries, providing examples. It describes the characteristics of each type of blood vessel: artery, arteriole, capillary, venule, and vein, and then summarizes the mechanisms involved in allowing the blood to flow. This chapter covers the role of peripheral resistance and blood pressure in the regulation of blood flow, the various factors associated with blood flow, and the capillary exchange system, including the forces involved in this process. It also captures the role of the lymphatic system in capillary exchange, and the role played by the skeletal muscle pump and respiratory pump in relation to venous return. Finally, the chapter identifies the role of exercise in maintaining vascular homeostasis.