ABSTRACT
The primary role of the cardiovascular system is to distribute oxygenated blood to organs and tissues. The vascular system (vasculature) is the distribution system and includes arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. Oxygen exchange occurs in the capillaries, while arteries and veins serve as conduits and to regulate blood flow. While blood vessels share common structural features, there is a wide variation in the structural details of vessels located in different parts of the vascular tree, because of differences in blood pressure and blood flow. Thus, while common governing principles can be delineated for blood vessels, the structure and mechanical properties of specific blood vessels must be investigated individually.
