Artery

An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Its elastic, muscular walls withstand and regulate the pressure generated by the heartbeat.

Tunica intima: The innermost layer of a blood vessel, formed by endothelial cells and supporting tissue. Its endothelial lining separates arterial blood from the vessel wall and helps regulate vascular function.
Blood circulation: The movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels to supply tissues and return to the heart. Arteries form the outgoing branches of the circulation from the heart.
Atherosclerosis: A disease in which plaques containing lipids and other material build up in artery walls. Plaque narrows or stiffens arteries and can obstruct blood flow.
Aorta: The body's largest artery, carrying blood from the left ventricle into systemic circulation. It is the main trunk from which systemic arteries branch.
Tunica media: The middle layer of a blood vessel, containing smooth muscle and elastic tissue. Its muscle and elastic fibers let arteries constrict, dilate, and stretch with each heartbeat.
Heart: A muscular organ that pumps blood through the circulatory system. The heart generates the pressure that propels blood through arteries.
Aneurysm: A localized abnormal dilation of a blood vessel caused by weakness in its wall. Arterial wall weakness can produce aneurysms that risk rupture.
Pulmonary artery: A vessel that carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. It demonstrates that an artery is defined by direction, not oxygen content.
Arterial compliance: The change in arterial volume produced by a change in pressure. Compliance allows large arteries to expand during systole and recoil between heartbeats.
Capillary: A microscopic blood vessel whose thin wall permits exchange between blood and tissues. Arteries ultimately branch into capillary networks where exchange occurs.

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