Artery

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Artery
Diagram of an artery
Details
Identifiers
Latinarteria (plural: arteriae)
MeSHD001158
TA98A12.0.00.003
A12.2.00.001
TA23896
FMA50720
Anatomical terminology

An artery (from

umbilical arteries in the fetal circulation that carry deoxygenated blood to the placenta
.

Arteries contrast with veins, which carry deoxygenated blood back towards the heart; or in the pulmonary and fetal circulations carry oxygenated blood to the lungs and fetus.

Structure

Microscopic anatomy of an artery.
Cross-section of a human artery

The anatomy of arteries can be separated into

systemic arteries, carrying blood from the heart to the whole body, and pulmonary arteries, carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
.

The outermost layer of an artery (or vein) is known as the

elastic tissue (also called connective tissue proper) and collagen fibres.[2] The innermost layer, which is in direct contact with the flow of blood, is the tunica intima, commonly called the intima. The elastic tissue allows the artery to bend and fit through places in the body. This layer is mainly made up of endothelial cells (and a supporting layer of elastin rich collagen in elastic arteries). The hollow internal cavity in which the blood flows is called the lumen
.

Development

Arterial formation begins and ends when

endothelial cells begin to express arterial specific genes, such as ephrin B2.[4]

Function

Arteries form part of the human circulatory system

Arteries form part of the

pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs for oxygenation (usually veins carry deoxygenated blood to the heart but the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood as well).[5] There are two types of unique arteries. The pulmonary artery carries blood from the heart to the lungs, where it receives oxygen. It is unique because the blood in it is not "oxygenated", as it has not yet passed through the lungs. The other unique artery is the umbilical artery
, which carries deoxygenated blood from a fetus to its mother.

Arteries have a

systemic vascular resistance, which refers to the collective resistance of all of the body's arterioles
, are the principal determinants of arterial blood pressure at any given moment.

Arteries have the highest pressure and have narrow lumen diameter. It consists of three tunics: Tunica media, intima, and external.

capillaries
, where nutrients and gases are exchanged.

After traveling from the

capillaries. This smooth muscle contraction is primarily influenced by activity of the sympathetic vasomotor nerves innervating the arterioles.[6] [7] Enhanced sympathetic activation prompts vasoconstriction, reducing the lumen diameter. A reduced lumen diameter consequently elevates the blood pressure within the arterioles.[8] Conversely, decreased sympathetic activity within the vasomotor nerves causes vasodilation of the vessels thereby decreasing blood pressure.[9]

Aorta

Aorta is the largest blood vessel in human body

The

left common carotid, and the left subclavian
arteries.

Capillaries

The

red blood cells
; a red blood cell is typically 7 micrometers outside diameter, capillaries typically 5 micrometers inside diameter. The red blood cells must distort in order to pass through the capillaries.

These small diameters of the capillaries provide a relatively large surface area for the exchange of gases and nutrients.

Clinical significance

Diagram showing the effects of atherosclerosis on an artery.

systolic and diastolic pressure, is determined primarily by the amount of blood ejected by each heart beat, stroke volume
, versus the volume and elasticity of the major arteries.

A blood squirt also known as an arterial gush, is the effect when an artery is cut due to the higher arterial pressures. Blood is spurted out at a rapid, intermittent rate, that coincides with the heartbeat. The amount of blood loss can be copious, can occur very rapidly, and be life-threatening.[10]

Over time, factors such as elevated arterial

fibrous connective tissue
.

Accidental intra-arterial injection either

iatrogenically or through recreational drug use can cause symptoms such as intense pain, paresthesia and necrosis. It usually causes permanent damage to the limb; often amputation is necessary.[13]

History

Among the

windpipe.[14] Herophilos was the first to describe anatomical differences between the two types of blood vessel. While Empedocles believed that the blood moved to and fro through the blood vessels, there was no concept of the capillary vessels that join arteries and veins, and there was no notion of circulation.[15] Diogenes of Apollonia developed the theory of pneuma, originally meaning just air but soon identified with the soul itself, and thought to co-exist with the blood in the blood vessels.[16] The arteries were thought to be responsible for the transport of air to the tissues and to be connected to the trachea
. This was as a result of finding the arteries of cadavers devoid of blood.

In medieval times, it was supposed that arteries carried a fluid, called "spiritual blood" or "vital spirits", considered to be different from the contents of the

ligaments were also called "arteries".[18]

William Harvey described and popularized the modern concept of the circulatory system and the roles of arteries and veins in the 17th century.

Alexis Carrel at the beginning of the 20th century first described the technique for vascular suturing and anastomosis and successfully performed many organ transplantations in animals; he thus actually opened the way to modern vascular surgery that was previously limited to vessels' permanent ligation.

References

  1. ^ ἀρτηρία, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
  2. ^ a b Steve, Paxton; Michelle, Peckham; Adele, Knibbs (2003). "The Leeds Histology Guide".
  3. .
  4. .
  5. .
  6. .
  7. .
  8. .
  9. , retrieved 2023-11-17
  10. ^ "U.S. Navy Standard First Aid Manual, Chapter 3 (online)". Retrieved 3 Feb 2003.
  11. ^ Bertazzo, S. et al. Nano-analytical electron microscopy reveals fundamental insights into human cardiovascular tissue calcification. Nature Materials 12, 576-583 (2013).
  12. ^ Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476-478 (2013).
  13. PMID 15945530
    . Retrieved 25 August 2014. Unintentional intra-arterial injection of medication, either iatrogenic or self-administered, is a source of considerable morbidity. Normal vascular anatomical proximity, aberrant vasculature, procedurally difficult situations, and medical personnel error all contribute to unintentional cannulation of arteries in an attempt to achieve intravenous access. Delivery of certain medications via arterial access has led to clinically important sequelae, including paresthesias, severe pain, motor dysfunction, compartment syndrome, gangrene, and limb loss. We comprehensively review the current literature, highlighting available information on risk factors, symptoms, pathogenesis, sequelae, and management strategies for unintentional intra-arterial injection. We believe that all physicians and ancillary personnel who administer intravenous therapies should be aware of this serious problem.
  14. ^ The heart and the vascular system in ancient Greek medicine. From Alcmaeon to Galen. Oxford University Press 1973, special edition for Sandpiper Books 2001. ISBN 0-19-858135-1 p.24
  15. ^ The heart and the vascular system in ancient Greek medicine. From Alcmaeon to Galen. Oxford University Press 1973, special edition for Sandpiper Books 2001. ISBN 0-19-858135-1 p.18
  16. ^ The heart and the vascular system in ancient Greek medicine. From Alcmaeon to Galen. Oxford University Press 1973, special edition for Sandpiper Books 2001. ISBN 0-19-858135-1 p.26
  17. ^ Oxford English Dictionary.
  18. ^ Shakespeare, William. Hamlet Complete, Authoritative Text with Biographical and Historical Contexts, Critical History, and Essays from Five Contemporary Critical Perspectives. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martins Press, 1994. pg. 50.

External links