What is Vasodilation?
[[File:Blood vessels-en.svg|thumb|Diagram of blood vessels.]] '''Vasodilation''' is where [[blood vessels]] widen.<ref>{{cite web| title = Definition of Vasodilation| publisher = MedicineNet.com| date = 27 April 2011| url = http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5965| accessdate = 13 January 2012| archive-date = 5 January 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120105174629/http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5965| url-status = dead}}</ref> It results from relaxation of [[muscle]] cells within blood vessel walls. The process is essentially the opposite of [[vasoconstriction]], which is the narrowing of blood vessels. When vessels widen, blood flow is increased. This in turn decreases [[blood pressure]]. Drugs that cause vasodilation are called '''vasodilators'''. ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Blood vessels]] {{biology-stub}}