Arteriole (noun)

1. A small branch of an artery that leads to capillaries, which then deliver oxygen-rich blood to the tissues.
2. A small blood vessel in the body that carries blood away from the heart and toward the tissues.

Origin:

From french artériole, from latin arteriola, diminutive of arteria ("artery").

Examples:

1. The arterioles are essential for the circulation of blood throughout the body.
2. The arterioles in the skin dilate in response to increased temperatures, causing increased blood flow and warming of the skin.
3. The arterioles play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure.
4. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, can narrow the lumen of the arterioles, leading to decreased blood flow.
5. The diameter of the arterioles can be adjusted by the smooth muscle cells in the vessel walls to control blood flow to different tissues.