vasodilation

(noun)

dilation of the blood vessels

Related Terms

  • homeotherm
  • poikilotherm
  • venule
  • endotherm
  • ectotherm
  • vasoconstriction
  • pyrogen

Examples of vasodilation in the following topics:

  • Heat Conservation and Dissipation

    • For example, vasodilation brings more blood and heat to the body surface, facilitating radiation and evaporative heat loss, which helps to cool the body.
    • In endotherms, the circulatory system is used to help maintain body temperature, either by vasodilation or vasoconstriction.
  • Arteries, Veins, and Capillaries

    • The movement of materials at the site of capillaries is regulated by vasoconstriction, narrowing of the blood vessels, and vasodilation, widening of the blood vessels; this is important in the overall regulation of blood pressure.
    • The elastic, connective tissue stretches and supports the blood vessels, while the smooth muscle layer helps regulate blood flow by altering vascular resistance through vasoconstriction and vasodilation.
  • Blood Flow Through the Body

    • For example, after a large meal, most of the blood is diverted to the stomach by vasodilation (widening) of vessels of the digestive system and vasoconstriction (narrowing) of other vessels.
    • During exercise, blood is diverted to the skeletal muscles through vasodilation, while blood to the digestive system would be lessened through vasoconstriction.
  • Other Hormonal Controls for Osmoregulation

    • The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) hormone lowers blood pressure by acting as a vasodilator (dilating or widening blood vessels).
  • Red Blood Cells

    • Nitrous oxide is a vasodilator: an agent that causes dilation of the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.