What can be said about the walls of pulmonary vessels?

The walls of pulmonary vessels are characterized by being more elastic and thinner compared to systemic vessels. This distinction arises from the role these vessels play in the circulatory system. The pulmonary circulation is responsible for transporting blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs, where the blood is oxygenated, and then back to the left side of the heart. The pressures within pulmonary vessels are significantly lower than those in systemic vessels due to the shorter distance the blood needs to travel and the lower resistance of the pulmonary vascular bed.

Thinner and more elastic walls in pulmonary arteries allow them to accommodate fluctuations in blood volume and pressure without sustaining damage. This elasticity is crucial for maintaining efficient blood flow during the respiratory cycle, as the pressure levels can vary with the act of breathing. Therefore, the structural characteristics of pulmonary vessel walls are adapted to their function in a low-pressure system, facilitating effective gas exchange in the lungs without risking injury to the vessel integrity.