ARTERIOLA Meaning and
Definition
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Arteriola refers to a small blood vessel that branches out from an artery and leads to the capillaries, which are the smallest and thinnest blood vessels in the body. It is an integral component of the circulatory system, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to various organs and body tissues. Arterioles are typically one of the body's primary mechanisms for regulating blood flow and blood pressure.
These vessels are characterized by their strong, muscular walls, which enable them to dilate or constrict, thereby controlling the amount of blood flowing through them. This ability to regulate blood flow is crucial in maintaining the balance of oxygen and nutrients delivered to different tissues, especially during changes in activity levels or physiological demands.
Arterioles are known to play a vital role in adjusting blood pressure. By contracting or relaxing its smooth muscles, an arteriola can narrow or widen its diameter, respectively. This action greatly affects the resistance to blood flow, determining the amount of blood that enters the downstream capillary beds. Consequently, arterioles help to regulate blood pressure by regulating peripheral resistance. Additionally, they also contribute to maintaining appropriate fluid balance by influencing the exchange of fluid and electrolytes across the capillary walls.
In summary, arterioles are small blood vessels that branch out from arteries and lead to capillaries. Their muscular walls and ability to dilate or constrict play a critical role in regulating blood flow, blood pressure, and the distribution of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ARTERIOLA
- zrteriola
- srteriola
- wrteriola
- qrteriola
- aeteriola
- adteriola
- afteriola
- atteriola
- a5teriola
- a4teriola
- arreriola
- arferiola
- argeriola
- aryeriola
- ar6eriola
- ar5eriola
- artwriola
- artsriola
- arrteriola
- aretriola
Etymology of ARTERIOLA
The word "arteriola" comes from the Latin word "arteriola", which is a diminutive form of "arteria", meaning "artery". The Latin term "arteria" itself can be traced back to the Greek word "artēria", which means "windpipe" or "artery". The word "artēria" was used to refer to the channels or tubes that carried air in the body, and it was later adopted to describe the blood vessels that carried blood away from the heart. Over time, the Latin form "arteria" developed into various Romance languages, including Old French "artere", Middle English "arterie", and eventually the modern English term "artery". The word "arteriola" specifically refers to the small, muscular arteries that branch off from larger arteries.
Similar spelling words for ARTERIOLA
- arteria,
- dis-orderly,
- Arterberry,
- arterialize,
- arterial,
- Artrip,
- un-orderly,
- orderly,
- artery,
- arteriogram,
- oratorially,
- Oratorial,
- arterburn,
- arteritis,
- Arteriolae,
- intra-arterial,
- ORDHWERL,
- arteriolar,
- orderly-room,
- ureteral,
- Street-orderly,
- uretero-ureteral,
- arterialise,
- arteriole,
- Cardio-arterial,
- arterially.
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