Home › HPCSA Board Exam › Physiology › Blood Vessels and Circulation › Which vessels are the primary site of both resis…
Which vessels are the primary site of both resistance and regulation of blood pressure?
AThe large elastic arteries
BThe postcapillary venules
CThe systemic arterioles
DThe continuous capillaries
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. The systemic arterioles
1. An arteriole has a very small lumen, so it slows blood sharply and drops pressure.
2. For that reason arterioles are named resistance vessels.
3. Neural and chemical controls set arteriolar diameter moment to moment, making them the main regulator of blood pressure.
4. Elastic arteries conduct, venules collect and capillaries exchange, so none of them holds this regulating role.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 20 "The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Circulation", section 20.1 Structure and Function of Blood Vessels_
Related questions
A vessel carrying blood at high pressure close to the heart will have walls that are:The endothelium is described as physiologically critical to regulating capillary exchange Vasoconstriction in arteries occurs when smooth muscle contracts in which layer?In arteries, vasoconstriction makes the lumen narrower and has what effect on blood flow?Endothelins constricting vessel smooth muscle have what effect on blood pressure?The endothelium releases local chemicals called endothelins that can do what to smooth musWhich components of arterial blood pressure are named alongside systolic and diastolic?Which reading is given as a normal adult blood pressure?