What is another term for blood vessels that experience narrowing due to various factors?

The term that best describes blood vessels that experience narrowing due to various factors is total vascular resistance. When blood vessels narrow, they increase resistance to blood flow, necessitating the heart to work harder to pump blood through these constricted areas. This increased resistance can occur due to various conditions, such as atherosclerosis, where plaques build up in the arterial walls, or due to vasoconstriction, which can be influenced by factors such as stress, certain medications, or environmental factors.

Total vascular resistance is a critical component in understanding cardiovascular physiology because it directly impacts blood pressure and overall circulation. While high blood pressure is a manifestation of increased resistance, it does not specifically address the narrowing of blood vessels. Cardiac output refers to the volume of blood the heart pumps and is influenced by factors like heart rate and stroke volume, but is not synonymous with the narrowing of blood vessels. Vascular permeability relates to the ability of substances to pass through blood vessel walls and does not pertain to whether these vessels are narrowed. Therefore, total vascular resistance is the most accurate term reflecting the concept of narrowing blood vessels affecting circulation.