In: Anatomy and Physiology
* There are various conditions in which the blood vessel radius has to increased like presence of clots or formation of plaque. This conditions narrow the blood vessels causes inadequate blood flow. Hence the blood vessel radius has to be increased inorder to increase the blood flow to body tissues.
* The best example for increasing radius of artery is during Atherosclerosis condition. In atherosclerosis, build of cholesterol plaque in arteries takes place causing the obstruction of blood flow. This plaque may rupture and forms the blood clots leads to stoppage of blood flow.
* Due to insufficient blood blow, the drugs like ACE inhibitors are given in order to dilate the artery which helps to increase the blood flow.
* The smooth muscles play an important role during the blood vessel contraction and dilation. Vascular smooth muscle contracts or relaxes to change both the volume of blood vessels and the blood pressure. The smooth muscles relaxation causes the relaxation of blood vessel either as a result of removal of contractile stimulus or by the direct action of the substance that stimulates inhibition of the contractile mechanism. The process of relaxation requires a decreased ca2+ concentration inorder to reduce the contraction.