Understanding Blood Vessels: Types, Structure & Function
Arteries
- Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body
- Have thick, muscular walls to withstand high pressure
- Narrow as they branch away from the heart
Veins
- Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the rest of the body
- Have thinner walls than arteries and contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
- Larger in diameter than arteries
Capillaries
- The smallest type of blood vessel, connecting arterioles to venules
- Have very thin walls allowing for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients between the blood and the surrounding tissue
- Form networks that surround cells
Arterioles
- Small arteries that branch off from arteries to supply blood to capillaries
- Have thinner walls than arteries
- Control blood flow to capillaries by constricting or dilating
Venules
- Small veins that collect blood from capillaries and merge to form larger veins
- Have thinner walls than veins and contain valves to prevent backflow of blood
- Larger in diameter than arterioles
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