Storartärerna

Storartärerna are the major arteries in the circulatory system that branch directly from the heart. These large vessels are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the body. The largest of these is the aorta, which arises from the left ventricle and arches over, then descends through the chest and abdomen. From the aorta, numerous smaller arteries branch off to supply blood to specific organs and regions.

The walls of storartärerna are thick and muscular, allowing them to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's pumping action. This elasticity also helps to maintain blood pressure between heartbeats. As these arteries extend further from the heart, they gradually divide into smaller arteries, then arterioles, and finally capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs with the body's tissues. The smooth inner lining of these arteries, the endothelium, plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow and preventing clot formation.