Chapter 23, Problem 1WYL

What is the structure and function of an anastomosis?

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The structure and function of an anastomosis.

Introduction:

Arteries, capillaries, and veins are three types of blood vessels. In the systemic circulation, as the ventricles of the heart contract, arteries carry blood away from the heart to the body. Arteries branch into smaller and smaller vessels until they feed into the capillaries, where gas and nutrient exchange occurs. From the capillaries, veins return blood to the heart.

Explanation of Solution

The site where two or more arteries (or two or more veins) converge to supply the same body region is called an anastomosis. Anastomosis generally happens in the circulatory system of the body and provide alternate blood supply routes to body tissues or organs if one link is blocked or compromised. Veins tend to form many more elastomers as compared to arteries.