arteria

Arteria is the term used in anatomy to refer to a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. In systemic circulation, arteries typically transport oxygenated blood to body tissues, while in the pulmonary circulation the arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. In fetal circulation, vessels such as the umbilical arteries route blood to the placenta. The plural in Latin is arteriae, and in English the plural is arteries.

Structure and walls: Arteries have relatively thick, muscular walls with elastic fibers, organized into three layers or tunics: the intima, media, and adventitia. The tunica media is especially prominent in arteries, containing smooth muscle and elastic lamellae that help withstand and transmit the pressure generated by the heart. Veins, by contrast, tend to have thinner walls and may include valves to prevent backflow. The pulse felt in arteries reflects the heartbeat and the elastic recoil of their walls.

Classification and function: After leaving the heart, arteries branch into elastic (conducting) arteries, such as the aorta and major branches, which dampen pressure fluctuations; muscular (distributing) arteries, such as the brachial and femoral arteries, which direct blood to specific regions; and arterioles, which regulate flow into capillary beds and contribute to peripheral resistance and blood pressure control.

Clinical relevance: Arterial disease includes atherosclerosis, aneurysm formation, and arterial occlusion, which can impair blood flow and cause ischemia or hemorrhage. Assessment often relies on palpation of pulses, blood pressure measurement, and imaging studies.

Etymology: The term arteria derives from Latin (and Greek origins) for artery; in English, the singular is artery and the plural arteries.