Arterial System
Our body’s circulatory system is vital for sustaining life. Its functioning is responsible for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all cells, as well as the removal of CO2 and waste products, the maintenance of an optimum of the pH, and the circulation of proteins and cells of the immune system.
The arterial system is the higher-pressure portion of the circulatory system. Arterial pressure varies between the peak pressure during heart contraction, called the systolic pressure, and the minimum, or diastolic pressure between contractions, when the heart expands and refills.
This pressure variation within the artery produces the pulse which is observable in any artery, and reflects heart activity. Arteries also aid the heart in pumping blood.
Arteries (from Greek á¼€ρτηρία (artÄ“ria), meaning “windpipe”) are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues, except for pulmonary arteries, which carry blood to the lungs for oxygenation.
The other exception are the umbilical arteries. The veins carry oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.
The pulsating effect from the arteries muscular wall acts as a pump to push blood in the veins up the body against gravity. The heat from the arteries is transferred to the blood in the veins, thus making it easier for the body to maintain heat.
