Match each vascular structure to its function or characteristic. Terms may apply to more than one question. Some terms may not be used.
a.arteries
i.sinusoids
b.tunica externa
j.tunica media
c.capillaries
k.capacitance vessels
d.tunica intima
l.distributing arteries
e.lumen
m.conducting arteries
f.resistance vessels
n.metarterioles
g.medium-sized veins
o.large veins
h.venules
p.arterioles
-Which blood vessels have the greatest ability to expand and recoil, and why is this important?
A) Medium-sized veins, because it helps them carry varying amounts of blood
B) Conducting arteries, so they can manage the surge of blood with systole and help propel blood during diastole
C) Arterioles, because they must constrict or dilate to control blood pressure
D) Capillaries, because they must supply more blood during stress or exercise

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Conducting arteries, such as the aorta, have the greatest ability to expand and recoil. This is important because it helps manage the surge of blood with systole and helps propel blood during diastole.

Answer: C
 Arterioles must constrict or dilate to control blood pressure. They have a relatively thick layer of smooth muscle in their tunica media that allows them to regulate blood flow and pressure by adjusting the lumen size.

Answer: D
 Metarterioles are precapillary vessels that connect arterioles to capillaries. They have the ability to constrict or dilate, which allows them to regulate blood flow into capillary beds and supply more blood during stress or exercise.

Note: some other answer choices are partially correct, but may not fully match the question or have the best explanation. For example, choice A is partially correct, as medium-sized veins have some ability to expand and recoil, but this feature is not as important for carrying varying amounts of blood as it is for other functions of blood vessels.

Match Each Vascular Structure to Its Function or Characteristic