Which type of blood vessels carry blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the type of blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They have thick, muscular walls that help withstand the high pressure of blood being pumped directly from the heart. This pressure enables arteries to transport oxygenated blood throughout the body, delivering essential nutrients to tissues and organs.

In addition to their primary function of transporting oxygen-rich blood, arteries also play a role in regulating blood pressure and flow through their ability to constrict and dilate. This adjustment helps to maintain adequate blood flow according to the body’s varying needs.

On the other hand, veins are responsible for carrying blood back toward the heart, usually carrying deoxygenated blood (except for pulmonary veins). Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes occurs between the blood and surrounding tissues. Venules arise from capillaries and lead into veins, further indicating that it is arteries that are specifically responsible for moving blood away from the heart.