What is the job of arteries and arterioles?
Arteries are blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. They have thick, muscular walls that enable them to withstand the pressure generated by the heart's pumping action. The largest artery is the aorta, which branches out into various smaller arteries that supply blood to different organs and tissues.
Arterioles are smaller arteries that connect to capillaries. They have narrower diameters than arteries and function as passageways for blood to reach microscopic capillaries. The constriction and dilation of arterioles play a vital role in regulating blood flow to different parts of the body and maintaining blood pressure. By adjusting the diameter of arterioles, the body can control how much blood is supplied to specific organs and tissues based on their needs.
In summary, arteries are responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart and delivering it to various parts of the body, while arterioles control blood flow to different tissues by adjusting their diameters.