Arteriel

Arteriel is a term that appears in various contexts but is not standard in modern medical nomenclature. In most references, the correct terms are arterial or arteriole. When used as a proper noun, Arteriel may denote a brand, organization, or fictional entity, depending on the source. This article summarizes the different uses and clarifies what the term most commonly refers to in anatomy.

In medical language, the terms arteries and arterioles describe vessels that carry blood away from the heart and into the capillary networks. Arteries have thick walls and a layered structure that includes the tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia, permitting strength and pulse-driven flow. Arterioles are smaller branches that regulate blood flow and resistance through smooth muscle in their walls, acting as control points in the microcirculation.

The arterial system is subdivided into large elastic arteries and smaller muscular arteries, with arterioles as the primary site of flow regulation before capillary exchange. Diseases affecting arteries and arterioles include atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and vasospasm, which can alter perfusion and blood pressure. Basic terminology: arterial relates to arteries; arteriole to arterioles; the adjectival form arterial is sometimes confused with arterial- or arterio- prefixes and relationships in compound terms.

Outside medicine, Arteriel may appear as a brand name for medical devices, a fictional place or organization in literature, or a product line. If encountered, the specific meaning is determined by the surrounding context.

See also: arterial, arteriole, arterial system.