What exactly does arterial end and venous end mean when discussion blood circulation?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

m25

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
304
Reaction score
20
What exactly does arterial end and venous end mean when discussion blood circulation?
Does arterial end mean the part of the circulation that is coming from the left side of the heart and distributing oxygen to tissues, and venous end the part of the circulation that recollects fluids and goes to right side of the heart to replenish oxygen?

Also, the hydrostatic pressure is higher at the arterial end than venous end, allowing exchange of nutrients in the arterial end, but what exactly is the "nutrients" that are being exchanged here? I'm guessing those nutrients have to be small enough to cross the membranes of capillary, so blood cells themselves cannot cross. Do oxygen from hemoglobin in blood cell just diffuse out of blood cell and crosses the capillary membrane into nearby tissues passively?

Members don't see this ad.
 
Technically an artery carries blood away from the heart and a vein returns blood to the heart.

You are correct in general with the exception of the pulmonary vasculature where the arteries carry hypooxygenated blood to the lungs and the veins return oxygenated blood to the left heart.

Nutrients include sugars, amino acids, minerals, oxygen, etc. Waste is generally metabolic byproducts and CO2. These products don't all diffuse through capillary endothelial membranes. There is a combination of passive diffusion, vesicle transport, and diffusion through the pores between the endothelial cells.

Yes, most movement is driven by diffusion as the cells have high waste and low nutrients while the capillary blood is generally rich in nutrients.
 
Top