Elastic artery

/ɪlˈastɪk ˈɑːtəɹi/

/ɪlˈæstɪk ˈɑːɹɾɚɹi/

[noun]

Elastic artery

[NOUN]

a large artery that stretches and recoils to accommodate blood flow from the heart, helping to maintain blood pressure

What is an "elastic artery"?

An elastic artery refers to large blood vessels that have a high amount of elastic fibers in their walls, allowing them to stretch and recoil with each heartbeat. They are responsible for conducting blood away from the heart and distributing it to various parts of the body. The elasticity of these arteries helps maintain a steady blood flow and reduces the pulsatile pressure generated by the heart, contributing to overall cardiovascular health.

Examples

1. And then we’ve got the problems on the blood vessel end, under sustained hypertension, you may see your otherwise elastic arteries go from being flexible balloons to stiff, hardened pipes, in what’s called arteriosclerosis.