Arteries Facts & Worksheets

Premium

Download the Arteries Facts & Worksheets

Click the button below to get instant access to these worksheets for use in the classroom or at a home.

Download This Worksheet

This download is exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!

Sign Me Up

Already a member? Log in to download.

Download

Edit This Worksheet

Editing resources is available exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members.
To edit this worksheet, click the button below to signup (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start editing!

Sign Up

Already a member? Log in to download.

Edit

This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. Click the Edit button above to get started.

Arteries are blood arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body and are essential to your cardiovascular system. These tube-like veins and the muscles within them guarantee that your organs and tissues receive the oxygen and nutrients they require to function. A disease known as atherosclerosis can cause blood flow through your arteries to slow down.

See the fact file below for more information on Arteries, or you can download our 34-page Arteries worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ARTERIES

• Your arteries branch out from your aorta, transporting blood from your heart. 
• From there, arteries branch out into smaller and smaller vessels that go throughout your body.
• Your arteries transport oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood. The heart sends oxygen-rich blood to your body’s largest artery, the aorta. This divides into sections that feed smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches your entire body.
• The diameter of the aorta, your major artery, ranges from 10 millimeters to 25 millimeters (.4 inches to .9 inches). 
• The diameters of the other arteries range from 3 millimeters to 5 millimeters(.11 inches to .19 inches), with arterioles being the smallest at .30 millimeters to .01 millimeters.
• Arteries resemble tubes. They have more vital, muscular walls than veins, allowing them to withstand the force of blood from your heart’s left ventricle. 
• Consider them flexible furnace ducts that distribute warm air around your home while your furnace is on.

Your arteries are made up of three layers:

• The tunica intima, or inner layer, has elastic fiber tissue.
• The tunica media, or middle layer, is mainly smooth muscle that allows your arteries to tighten or relax as needed.
• The tunica externa, or the outside layer, interacts with other tissues, such as nerves, that give orders to draw in or expand.

TYPES OF ARTERY

• You have two kinds of arteries with somewhat different purposes—both transport oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body’s tissues.
• The first kind, elastic, works similarly to how a football player receives the ball, absorbing the power of the throw. This kind transports blood from the heart to the other arteries.
• The muscular kind is like sprinting down the field with the ball to get it where it must go. This is blood traveling to your body’s tissues.

There are two types of arteries:

• Elastic arteries are closer to the heart and have more elastic tissue than muscular arteries. Aorta and pulmonary artery are two examples.
• Muscular arteries have more smooth muscle than elastic arteries. Femoral, radial, and brachial arteries are among the examples.

ARTERIES AND VEINS

Arteries

• Move oxygen-rich blood away from your heart and distribute it throughout your body.
• Have full, muscular walls that can withstand the pressure of blood pumped out by your heart with each beating.
• Valve replacement is unnecessary since the power of the blood flowing from your heart guarantees that the blood only flows in one direction.

Veins

• Return blood to your heart after your body’s cells and tissues have depleted it of oxygen. This is known as oxygen-depleted blood or deoxygenated blood.
• Have thinner walls since the pressure inside them isn’t as great as in arteries.
• They have valves within to restrict blood from flowing in the wrong direction.
• Have thinner walls since the pressure inside them isn’t as great as in arteries.
• They have valves within to restrict blood from flowing in the wrong direction.

ARTERIES AND OTHER ORGANS

• Your arteries carry blood to all of your organs. Every organ in your body needs oxygen and nutrients found in your blood.
• Certain arteries provide blood to organs or areas of the body, such as:

Coronary arteries: Heart.

• The coronary arteries are significant blood channels in your body that give blood to your heart. They enable your heart to beat and circulate blood throughout your body.

Carotid arteries: Brain, head, face, and neck.

• The carotid arteries are significant blood channels that feed blood to the brain. Your neck has two carotid arteries, one on each side.

Vertebral arteries: Brain and spine.

• The brain and spine are supplied with blood through the vertebral arteries in the neck. The term vertebral refers to the position of the arteries along the vertebrae or spine bones. Two vertebral arteries travel through the spinal column, one on each side.

Iliac arteries: Pelvis.

• The iliac arteries are blood channels that transport blood to the legs, pelvis, reproductive organs, and other pelvic organs. The pelvis is located at the bottom of your body, slightly above where your legs join at the hips.

Femoral artery: Legs.

• The primary blood channel giving blood to your lower body is the femoral artery. It begins in the upper thigh at the groin and travels down to the back of the knee.

Subclavian arteries: Head, neck, and arms.

• The subclavian arteries are located directly below the clavicles and feed blood to the bilateral upper extremities as well as the head and neck. The brachiocephalic trunk gives rise to the right subclavian artery, while the aortic arch gives rise to the left subclavian artery.

Celiac and mesenteric arteries: Digestive system.

• The celiac artery provides blood to the liver, spleen, pancreas, and a portion of the stomach and duodenum. The small intestine, ascending colon, and a substantial amount of the transverse colon are all supplied by the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).

COMMON ARTERY DISORDERS AND CONDITIONS

The following conditions can cause arterial damage:

• Atherosclerosis – The accumulation of lipids, cholesterol, and other chemicals in and on the arterial walls is known as atherosclerosis. This accumulation is known as plaque.
  • Angina (chest discomfort)
  • Cold chills
  • Dizziness
  • Severe exhaustion 
  • Heart palpitations (the sensation that your heart is racing)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea and weakness
• Aneurysm (a stretch or bulge in an artery that can break open) –  An aneurysm is a blood vessel bulge caused by a weakening in the blood vessel wall, most commonly where it branches. The blood pressure causes a tiny region to inflate outwardly like a balloon when blood travels through the damaged blood artery.
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Neck tense.
• Double vision or blurred vision.
• Light sensitivity.
• Seizure.

• Blood clot – Blood clots occur when specific components of your blood thicken and combine to create a semisolid mass. This process can be started by an injury or it can occur inside blood vessels that are not clearly injured. 
  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of breath, and
  • Dizziness is a symptom.

Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis in your coronary arteries) – Plaque accumulation in the walls of the arteries that deliver blood to the heart causes coronary artery disease (called coronary arteries). Plaque is formed by cholesterol deposits. With time, plaque formation causes the interior of the arteries to constrict. This is known as atherosclerosis.

• Pain or discomfort in the chest (angina)
• Weakness, dizziness, nausea (feeling ill to your stomach), or cold sweat.
• Arm or shoulder pain or discomfort.
• Breathing difficulty.

• Carotid artery disease (atherosclerosis in your carotid artery) – Carotid artery disease develops when fatty deposits (plaques) block the blood channels that provide oxygen and nutrients to your brain and skull (carotid arteries). The obstruction raises your chances of having a stroke, a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is halted or severely diminished.
• Vision blurriness or loss.
• Confusion.
• Memory lapse.
• Numbness or weakness in one or more parts of your body.
• Difficulties with logic, memory, and speaking.

• High blood pressure – High blood pressure is a frequent disorder affecting the arteries of the body. It is also known as hypertension. When you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pressing against the artery walls is always too strong. To pump blood, the heart has to work harder.
  • Early morning headaches
  • Nosebleeds
  • Abnormal heart rhythms
  • Eyesight disturbances
  • Ear buzzing 
• High cholesterol – When there is too much cholesterol in circulation, the cholesterol, and other chemicals might combine to create deposits (plaques) on the arterial walls. Plaques can cause an artery to constrict or get blocked. Blood clots can occur if a plaque ruptures. Blood clots and plaques can both restrict blood flow through an artery.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) – Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) In the legs or lower extremities, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that deliver blood from the heart to the legs. 
• It is largely caused by the accumulation of fatty plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
  • The most common sign of PAD is discomfort in the legs during physical activity, such as walking, which improves with rest. 
  • Walking-related discomfort, pains
  • Cramps (claudication) in the buttock, hip, thigh, or calf.

Vasculitis – Vasculitis refers to a group of diseases that induce inflammation of the blood vessels. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to damage or infection. It induces swelling and can aid the body’s defense against invading microorganisms.

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Weight reduction.
• Aches and pains in general.

TESTS AND TREATMENTS

• Several imaging methods allow your doctor to examine your arteries:
• Angiography.
• CT (computed tomography).
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Echocardiogram.
• Medication and surgical techniques are used to treat artery disorders, which include:
• Lifestyle changes, as discussed in the Care section.
• Medication to decrease your blood pressure or cholesterol.
• Thinners of the blood.
• Corticosteroids, for example, are anti-inflammatory medications.
• Angioplasty.
• Coronary artery bypass surgery.
• Other obstructed arteries will be surgically bypassed.
• Endarterectomy of the carotid arteries.

TIPS TO KEEP ARTERIES HEALTHY

• Everything you do to maintain your heart’s health can also benefit your arteries. You may:
  • Have a nutritious diet that is low in trans and saturated fats.
  • Do some exercise on a regular basis.
  • Tobacco products should be avoided.
  • Every night, get seven to nine hours of sleep (for adults).
  • Deal with stress effectively.
  • Seek help if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Restrict your alcohol consumption.
• Although most people think of the cardiovascular system in terms of the heart, arteries also play an essential function. They provide your body with oxygen, nutrients, and other necessary materials that circulate in your blood. 
• When you look after your arteries, they will look after you. Frequent exercise and a low-fat diet can assist your arteries in keeping blood flowing without interruptions or slowdowns. 
• While high blood pressure and high cholesterol seldom show early signs, it’s critical to have your healthcare practitioner check them to ensure they’re normal and treat them if they aren’t.

FUN FACTS

• Your central nervous system signals your arteries to constrict or open up. This impacts your blood pressure or the power with which your blood flows through your arteries. 
• Arteries aid in the regulation of blood pressure. They also regulate blood flow by tightening or relaxing their muscle walls.
• At any given moment, your arteries contain around 10% of your body’s blood.
• The pulmonary artery is your body’s only artery that delivers deoxygenated blood. This artery carries oxygenated blood from your heart to your lungs.

Arteries Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Arteries across 34 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Arteries. Your arteries branch out from your aorta, transporting blood from your heart. 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Arteries Facts
2. Fact or Bluff?
3. Artery Types
4. Blood Supply
5. The Blood Vessels
6. Round and Round
7. The Body Systems
8. Diagnosis
9. Arterial Tree
10. Tracing Pathway
11. Theater Show

Frequently Asked Questions

What are arteries?

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to different parts of the body. They are thick-walled, muscular, and elastic to withstand the high pressure of blood flow and maintain blood pressure.

What is the structure of an artery?

An artery has three layers: the tunica intima, tunica media, and tunica adventitia. The tunica intima is the innermost layer that consists of endothelial cells that line the vessel wall. The tunica media is the middle layer made of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers, responsible for regulating blood flow and maintaining blood pressure. The tunica adventitia is the outermost layer made of connective tissue that supports the artery.

What diseases can affect arteries?

Arteries can be affected by several diseases, such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and vasculitis. Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of plaque in the artery walls, leading to narrowing of the vessel lumen and reducing blood flow. Aneurysms are bulges that form in weakened areas of the artery wall, which can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Vasculitis is an inflammation of the artery walls that can lead to reduced blood flow and tissue damage.

How are arteries different from veins?

Arteries and veins both are blood vessels, but they have different structures and functions. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, while veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Arteries have thicker walls and a smaller lumen than veins. Arteries have a pulse and a high-pressure blood flow, while veins have a steady flow and low pressure. Veins also have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backward.

How can you maintain healthy arteries?

To maintain healthy arteries, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources can help prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Regular exercise can improve blood flow and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also reduce the risk of developing artery-related diseases.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Arteries Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 13, 2023