The greatest pressure decrease in the circulation occurs across the arterioles because

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[II A 2, 3, F]. The decrease in pressure at any level of the cardiovascular system is caused by the resistance of the blood vessels $(\Delta \mathrm{P}=\mathrm{Q} \times \mathrm{R})$. The greater the resistance is, the greater the decrease in pressure is. The arterioles are the site of highest resistance in the vasculature. The arterioles do not have the greatest surface area or cross-sectional area (the capillaries do). Velocity of blood flow is lowest in the capillaries, riot in the arterioles.

The Greatest Pressure Decrease in the Circulation Occurs Across the Arterioles