The smallest artery is an arteriole.
Arterioles are tiny blood vessels that act as crucial links between larger arteries and the even smaller capillaries. They play a vital role in regulating blood flow and blood pressure throughout the body.
Defining Arterioles
Several sources confirm arterioles as the smallest arteries. Their diameter is typically less than 0.1 mm, or 100 micrometers (μm). [ScienceDirect Topics](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/arteriole) describes arterioles as having a diameter of less than 100 μm, while other sources like [Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23377-arterioles) emphasize their role in connecting to the even smaller capillaries. This size difference makes arterioles distinct from larger arteries.
Arteriole Structure and Function
- Size: Their small diameter is key to their function in controlling blood flow.
- Walls: Arterioles have relatively thin walls compared to larger arteries.
- Regulation: They help regulate blood pressure by constricting or dilating, adjusting blood flow to different parts of the body.
- Connection to Capillaries: They form the crucial connection between the arterial system and the capillary network where gas exchange takes place.
It is important to note that capillaries are even smaller than arterioles; however, capillaries are not arteries. Capillaries form the connection between the arterial and venous systems; arterioles are part of the arterial system.
