What is the Vascular System
The vascular system consists of the arteries, capillaries and veins through which blood circulates in the body. Arteries carry blood away from the heart. The veins carry blood toward the heart.
Capillaries lie in between, and are minute blood vessels that connect the ends of arteries with the beginning of veins.
Capillaries form networks allowing blood to be brought into close contact with body tissue; oxygen and nutrients diffuse from the blood into the tissue, while waste products diffuse from the tissue into the blood to be carried away.
Further Reading:
- Article : "VASCULAR DEMENTIA"
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
