Slagæð

Slagæð is the Icelandic word for artery. Arteries are a crucial part of the circulatory system, responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. These vessels are characterized by their thick, muscular walls, which enable them to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's pumping action. The blood carried by arteries is bright red due to its high oxygen content, except for the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.

The structure of arteries allows for efficient blood flow. They branch into smaller vessels called arterioles, which further divide into even smaller capillaries. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and are where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs between the blood and the body's tissues. Following this exchange, deoxygenated blood is collected by venules, which merge to form veins that return blood to the heart. The elasticity of arterial walls also plays a role in maintaining blood pressure and ensuring a continuous blood supply throughout the body. Understanding the function and structure of arteries is fundamental to comprehending cardiovascular health and disease.