Difference Between Arteries and Veins

Two main types of blood vessels functioning in the circulatory system of our bodies are arteries and veins. Both arteries and veins cooperate for transporting blood throughout the body, aiding to oxygenate and to deoxygenate every cell with every heartbeat. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to various body parts and body tissues whereas veins carry deoxygenated blood from various parts of the body and tissues to the heart to re-oxygenate. Their functions are associated with removing wastes from each body cell.

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What are Arteries?

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body are called arteries. These are tube-like shaped and form branches called arterioles that reach tissues and organs. While heart contraction occurs, arteries pump blood to all the body parts. Aorta is the largest artery in the human body that is attached to the left ventricle of the heart. An artery that differs from the rest and is located attaching to the right ventricles is the Pulmonary Artery as it carries low oxygen blood to the lungs where it further branches into capillaries and arterioles. It helps the blood to take up oxygen before returning to the heart via a pulmonary vein. 

The Three Types of Arteries and Arteries Functions are:

1. Elastic Arteries: Also known as conducting arteries, these comprise a thick middle layer stretching in response to each heart pulse. It has the ability to stretch as it has numerous collagen and elastin filaments.

2. Muscular Arteries: Also known as distributing artery, these medium-sized arteries draw blood from an elastic artery to branch into smaller arteries and arterioles known as resistance vessels. These comprise numerous smooth muscles that allow easy expanding and contracting depending on blood demand.

3. Arterioles: Small-diameter blood vessels that extend from an artery and lead towards capillaries are called arterioles. Oxygen and nutrients pass into tissues from the blood through the thin capillary walls.

What are Veins?

Blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from body parts or tissues back to the heart are called veins. Like arteries, these are an important part of our circulatory system but have thinner walls than arteries. The thinnest veins are called venules that receive blood from the capillaries and deliver it to the larger veins. The largest vein in the human body is the superior and inferior vena cava that directly drain into the right atrium of the heart.

There are Three Different Types of Veins, Namely-

1. Deep Veins: It is located deep within the body. It is different from superficial veins that are located close to the body’s surface. If a blood clot in the deep veins inside our body, the condition is called Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). It normally occurs in the lower leg, pelvis or thigh area.

2. Superficial Veins: The veins that are easily visible in places like arms and cow’s udder are superficial veins as these are located closer to the surface of the skin. Superficial venous disease is the risk factor associated with these veins.

3. Pulmonary Veins: Veins that are located throughout the body to carry or transport deoxygenated blood to the heart for reoxygenation are called pulmonary veins. The largest pulmonary veins include the four main pulmonary veins, two originate from each lung that drains into the left heart atrium.

Arteries and Veins Difference

Arteries and Veins: What's the Difference?

Arteries and veins are two types of blood arteries in the circulatory system that are primarily responsible for transporting blood throughout the body. In terms of function, however, the two blood vessels are very distinct from one another.

One of the fundamental differences between arteries and veins is that arteries deliver oxygenated blood to all body areas, whereas veins, with the exception of pulmonary arteries and veins, carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.

Fundamental Distinctions Between Arteries and Veins are as Follows:

Veins and Arteries

Arteries are blood channels that transport blood away from the heart and into smaller vessels. Finally, the smallest arteries, known as arterioles, branch off into small capillaries, which carry out the exchange of all nutrients, gases, and other waste substances.

The blood vessels that run throughout the body are known as veins. They're transparent tube-like structures that transport deoxygenated blood from the tissues to the heart for re-oxygenation. Veins have thinner walls than arteries.

Refer to also: Human Heart

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Types of Arteries and Veins 

The various types of arteries and veins are listed here.

Arteries come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Atherosclerosis affects three types of arteries:

• Elastic arteries: Conducting arteries have a thick middle layer that stretches in reaction to each heartbeat. Elastic arteries have a thick middle layer that stretches in response to each heartbeat.

• Muscular Arteries: Medium-sized arteries that draw blood from elastic arteries are known as muscular arteries.

• Arterioles: Blood is directed into the capillaries via arterioles. These are the divisions of the arterial system that convey blood out from the heart.

Types of Veins

Veins exist in a wide range of sizes and forms.

Deep Veins are veins that run deep into the muscle tissue.

• Superficial Veins: These veins are closer to the skin's surface.

• Pulmonary Veins: These vessels carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Systemic Veins: These veins are found throughout the body and deliver deoxygenated blood to the heart, where it is purified.