⠀
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

SLIDE LABEL: Artery, Vein, & Nerve c.s.
⠀
──────────────────
⠀
Artery

Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygenated blood efferent or away from the heart. Elastic arteries/Conducting arteries include the aorta, the pulmonary artery, and their largest branches – they carry blood to smaller arteries. Muscular arteries/Distributing arteries are medium-sized arteries like the radial and femoral arteries that branch off from elastic arteries, distributing blood to specific areas and regulating blood pressure by contracting and relaxing.

⠀

Vein

Veins bring blood to the heart from every part of the body and this process is supported by muscle contraction and organ compression. Small or medium veins, which have thin tunica intima, complex media, thick adventitial layer are by the muscular arteries. Large veins have well-developed intimal layers and thin media and are nearer to the heart, paired with elastic arteries. Valves in the large and medium veins help in directing blood flow towards the heart.

⠀

Nerve

The nerves transmit signals that are sent from one part of the body to another. Composed of nerve fibers and fascicles around connective tissues, nerves make us capable of sensing things, motor function, and coordination. The ones close to arteries and veins regulate the contraction and expansion of the smooth muscles involved in our blood vessel walls.
⠀
──────────────────
⠀
References
⠀
Adams, W. E. (n.d.). The blood supply of nerves: I. Historical review. Journal of Anatomy, 76(Pt 4), 323. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1252671/pdf/janat00513-0003.pdf
⠀
Mescher, A.L. (2018). Junqueira’s Basic Histology: Text and Atlas (15th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
⠀
University of Minnesota Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development. (n.d.). MH 052 Peripheral Nerve. Histology Guide. https://histologyguide.com/slideview/MH-052-peripheral-nerve/06-slide-1.html