Definition of Blood Vessels

The blood vessels are tubular structures whose function is to transport blood to and from the heart passing through all the tissues of the body.

They are of two independent types, the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the tissues and the veins that return blood from the tissues to the heart. The communication Between the arteries and veins it occurs through very small vessels known as capillaries.

Blood vessels are made up of several layers

The wall of the blood vessels is made up of several layers, in its internal part is the endothelium, in the center the muscular layer and superficially the adventitial layer.

The endothelium is a structure formed by a layer of cells that performs important functions for the body, releases a series of substances that regulates the tone of the blood vessel, as well as various factors that promote blood clotting and are also capable of modulating it.

The muscle layer is made up of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, mainly elastin, while the

outer or adventitial layer It is made up of supportive tissue. In the case of large-caliber arteries in this last layer are the nerves that allow the contraction or relationship of the muscle layer as well as the blood vessels that provide it with oxygen Y nutrients to the arteries, these tiny vessels are known as vasa vasorum and their involvement is common in diseases such as diabetes, being the cause of vascular disorders that are seen in this disease.

Arteries and veins have different structures

Arteries and veins have marked differences in their structure, which is related to the function that each type of blood vessel must carry out.

Arteries These types of vessels have a more developed muscular layer than veins, this allows them to have a certain elasticity that makes it easier for them to distend and contract to push blood through the circulatory system, this cycle of contractions and relaxations can be perceived by touch in the superficial arteries and is what is known as a pulse. The muscular layer also gives the arterial blood vessels a certain endurance constituting diastolic blood pressure.

Veins. The veins must carry the blood back to the heart, in this function a muscular layer that offers resistance is not required, so the veins are thinner than the arteries; Rather, the veins have a valve system in the shape of a swallow's nest that prevents retrograde flow, especially at the level of the legs where gravity favors this phenomenon.

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