Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumHuman Anatomy and Body Systems

As oxygenated blood is propelled into systemic circulation, it exerts substantial hydrostatic force against vessel walls during ventricular systole. Which anatomical feature allows systemic arteries to withstand and regulate this high-pressure flow compared to veins?

  1. A
    A wider internal diameter and thinner muscular wall designed for low-resistance volume storage
  2. A thicker tunica media composed of substantial smooth muscle and elastic connective tissueAnswer
  3. C
    A continuous series of internal flap valves that prevent the retrograde pooling of fluid
  4. D
    A single-layered wall devoid of muscular tissue to allow rapid fluid filtration into surrounding tissues

Answer

A thicker tunica media composed of substantial smooth muscle and elastic connective tissue
Arteries are subjected to the highest fluid pressures in the cardiovascular system. To withstand and cushion these pulsatile forces, their walls feature a significantly thicker middle layer (tunica media) comprised of circular smooth muscle and elastic fibers, allowing both structural resilience and vasoregulation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the physiological conditions experienced by systemic arteries
Systemic arteries receive blood pumped directly from the left ventricle under high hydrostatic pressure and rhythmic pulsatile force.
Vessel structure directly reflects the pressure and volume demands of its circulatory segment.
2
Evaluate the structural layers of vascular walls
The middle layer (tunica media) contains smooth muscle and elastin, which allows arteries to stretch during systole, recoil during diastole, and resist high internal pressures.
Veins operate under much lower pressures and have thinner muscular walls, while exchange vessels lack smooth muscle entirely.

Key Concept

Vascular wall anatomy and physiological adaptations to hemodynamics
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Human Anatomy and Body Systems

More questions from this topic