Vascular system 1: anatomy and physiology

The vasculature is a network of blood vessels connecting the heart with all other organs and tissues in the body. Arteries and arterioles bring oxygen-rich blood and nutrients from the heart to the organs and tissues, while venules and veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The exchange of gases and transfer of nutrients between blood and tissues take place in the capillaries. A solid understanding of how the vasculature works is key to understanding what can go wrong with it. This first article in a three-part series covers anatomy and physiology; parts 2 and 3 will discuss the pathophysiology of the vascular system.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• Anatomy of the vascular system and structure of blood vessels

• The process of gas exchange and nutrient transfer between capillaries and tissues

• Physiological processes used by the body to regulate blood pressure