Arteries that are closer to the heart _______.

Arteries that are closer to the heart _______.

• A. have thicker walls with less elastic tissue
• B. have thinner walls and less smooth muscle
• C. have more elastic tissue and must be able to withstand pressure changes
• D. have no role in damping pressure changes

Answer: (C)

Arteries close to the heart are designed to handle large pressure changes and to smooth out the pulsatile blood flow. They are elastic arteries, rich in elastin in the tunica media. This elasticity lets the vessel expand when the heart pumps (systole) and recoil to maintain flow during relaxation (diastole). That elastic recoil acts as a pressure reservoir, damping the pulse and keeping capillary flow steady. So these arteries have more elastic tissue and must withstand these pressure changes. Because of that, statements claiming less elastic tissue, thinner walls with less smooth muscle, or no role in damping pressure changes don’t fit. The key feature near the heart is the high elasticity that supports pressure changes and pulse dampening.

Arteries close to the heart are designed to handle large pressure changes and to smooth out the pulsatile blood flow. They are elastic arteries, rich in elastin in the tunica media. This elasticity lets the vessel expand when the heart pumps (systole) and recoil to maintain flow during relaxation (diastole). That elastic recoil acts as a pressure reservoir, damping the pulse and keeping capillary flow steady. So these arteries have more elastic tissue and must withstand these pressure changes.

Because of that, statements claiming less elastic tissue, thinner walls with less smooth muscle, or no role in damping pressure changes don’t fit. The key feature near the heart is the high elasticity that supports pressure changes and pulse dampening.