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artery

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the body. Arteries are typically large and have thick walls. They carry oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues.

The walls of arteries are made up of three layers:

  • The inner layer is called the tunica intima. It is made up of a single layer of cells that line the inside of the artery.
  • The middle layer is called the tunica media. It is made up of smooth muscle and elastic fibres.
  • The outer layer is called the tunica adventitia. It is made up of connective tissue.

Arteries are named according to the organ or region of the body that they supply with blood. For example, the coronary arteries supply blood to the heart, and the carotid arteries supply blood to the head.

How can the word be used?

The doctor examined the patient's arterial blood pressure.

artery

Different forms of the word

Noun: artery (plural: arteries).

Adjective: arterial.

Adverb: arterially.

Verb: arterialise (to make something arterial).

Gerund: arterialising.

Participle: arterialised.

Etymology

The word artery comes from the Greek word ἀρτηρία (artēríā), which means "windpipe." This is because, in ancient times, it was believed that arteries carried air to the extremities of the body. The word ἀρτηρία is a compound word, consisting of the elements ἀήρ (aer), meaning "air," and τηρεῖν (terein), meaning "to keep.".

Question

Where can arteries be found?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Define the term "artery" and explain its role in the circulatory system. Describe the main characteristics of arteries that enable them to perform their function effectively.

Answer:

  • An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. Arteries play a crucial role in the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs. They are characterised by thick, elastic walls, which allow them to withstand the high pressure exerted by the pumping action of the heart. The elastic nature of arteries aids in maintaining blood flow even during changes in blood pressure. Additionally, arteries possess smooth muscle fibres that can contract and relax, helping to regulate blood flow and distribute blood to different regions based on the body's needs.