What does compliance refer to in the context of arteries?

In the context of arteries, compliance refers to the ability of the arterial walls to stretch and accommodate changes in pressure and volume. As blood is pumped from the heart, the arteries expand to accommodate the surge of blood. This characteristic is essential for maintaining a steady flow of blood throughout the cardiovascular system and allows the arteries to adapt to the varying amounts of blood with each heartbeat.

The capacity to stretch effectively helps to dampen the pressure waves created by the heart's contractions, thereby promoting stable blood circulation. Healthy arterial compliance is crucial for proper cardiovascular function, as decreased compliance can lead to higher blood pressure and increased strain on the heart. This flexibility is a key feature of arterial function, differentiating it from other vascular properties such as resistance or maintaining blood pressure.