Which term describes the widening of venous vessels?

Which term describes the widening of venous vessels?

• A. Vasodilate
• B. Venoconstrict
• C. Vasoconstrict
• D. Venodilate

Answer: (D)

Widening of venous vessels is venodilate (venodilation). Veins are capacitance vessels, and when their smooth muscle relaxes, the diameter increases. This specific widening of veins—but not arteries—is captured by the term venodilate. General vasodilation describes widening of vessels overall (often referring to arteries), while venoconstrict and vasoconstrict describe narrowing of veins and vessels, respectively. So venodilate is the precise term for veins expanding their diameter.

Widening of venous vessels is venodilate (venodilation). Veins are capacitance vessels, and when their smooth muscle relaxes, the diameter increases. This specific widening of veins—but not arteries—is captured by the term venodilate. General vasodilation describes widening of vessels overall (often referring to arteries), while venoconstrict and vasoconstrict describe narrowing of veins and vessels, respectively. So venodilate is the precise term for veins expanding their diameter.