This question is pertaining to Anatomy and Physiology

Question

1) Predict what happens if the elastic fibers in a blood vessel's wall were defective. Would such a condition be more problematic for arteries or for veins? Explain. 

Answer 1

The elastic fibers of blood vessels provide an adequate strength for the vessel to endure the pressure of the blood as it exits the heart. If the elastic fibers were defective, the vessels would balloon out, causing a decrease in the blood pressure. This would be problematic for both arteries and veins. However, as the arteries endure significantly more pressure than the veins after receiving the blood from the heart, this part of the circulation system would be severely effected.