Quick Facts
An arteriole is a minute arterial branch, especially one just proximal to a capillary (Dorland, 2011).
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure/Morphology
The pulmonary arterioles and their branches carry deoxygenated blood that has been transported by pulmonary arteries from the right ventricle of the heart to the lung tissue. The more proximal pulmonary arteries and their branches are elastic arteries and extend to the junctions of the bronchi and terminal bronchioles. Muscular type arteries are found more distally and branches into these arterioles that extend to the alveolar saccules. The arterioles deliver blood, under low pressure, to the extensive network of capillaries that surround the alveoli.
Function
The pulmonary arterioles are responsible for supplying deoxygenated blood to the alveoli in order for gas exchange to occur.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
