Why the Arteries and Veins are Different
Before getting into the depth of the difference between arteries and veins, it is important to know about the basic definition of arteries and veins.
Our circulatory system comprises three types of blood vessels that are, arteries, veins, and capillaries. These blood vessels perform different types of functions in the body. The arteries are the blood vessels that are important for carrying the oxygenated blood throughout the body from the heart. The heart is a very important part of the circulatory system as it helps in the pumping of the blood and then passing it to the aorta, the main big artery that carries oxygenated blood. The aorta is further divided into other small blood vessels called arteries. On the other hand, the veins are the blood vessels that collect deoxygenated blood from all the tissues of the body organ and then pass this blood back to the heart, for releasing extra carbon dioxide from it. However, capillaries are the smallest blood vessels and they are involved in the functioning of exchange of the oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.
Several features help distinguish the arteries, veins, and capillaries. Some of these are
- 1. Blood vessels location
- 2. The ratio of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
- 3. Valves.
- 4. Blood vessel wall’s width and size.
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Arteries
- 1. Arteries are the thick-walled blood vessels that carry the oxygenated blood from the heart to various organs of the body.
- 2. The arteries carry oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery which carries deoxygenated blood
- 3. The large arteries are the aorta. Aorta is the largest artery that branches into many smaller blood vessels called arteries. These blood vessels dig a little deeper in the muscles as compared to arteries and veins.
- 4. These blood vessels are thick-walled, this is so because the heart pumps the blood with high pressure and speed and that has to be carried away by these arteries. If these carry such high pace blood rush, it is very important for the blood vessels to
- 5. Carry that blood without any bursting or damage. These blood vessels do not have valves as the speed is already high which opposes its backward flow.
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Veins
- 1. Veins are the blood vessels that carry the deoxygenated blood from all parts of the body or tissues to the heart. And then the heart helps in the removal of the extra carbon dioxide from the blood.
- 2. The veins are close to the skin surface and are not much deep in the muscles. These blood vessels are small and not very thick, and are thin. This is so because the blood in the veins is at very low pressure and low speed. Hence there is no risk of damage to the blood vessel.
- 3. These blood vessels have valves as well. It allows the blood to maintain the one-way flow and prevent any type of backward flow.
- 4. All the veins carry deoxygenated blood but pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood.
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Arteries
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Veins
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The arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all other organs of the body
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The veins are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from all the body parts back to the pumping organ heart.
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The walls of the blood vessels are thick to prevent any damage due to the high blood pressure in the blood vessels
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The walls of the blood vessels are not very thick. These blood vessels have blood with low blood pressure.
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The pulmonary artery is the exception that carries deoxygenated blood
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The pulmonary veins are the exception that carries oxygenated blood.
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The arteries do not have valves in them.
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The veins have valves in them.
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These blood vessels are deep in the muscles.
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These blood vessels are close to your skin and are visible.
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Arteries and veins are connected with the help of the capillaries. Capillaries act as bridges for the transportation purpose of blood. Their main role is the transportation and exchange of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, waste, and intoxicated material across the organs and tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the arteries and the veins
Arteries are thick-walled blood vessels that carry blood that has a higher ratio of oxygen than carbon dioxide. While veins are the blood vessels that are thin-walled and take all the carbon dioxide from the organs back to the heart.
Why do the veins appear blue or green
Veins are the blood vessels that are close to the surface of the skin. It contains blood that is red due to the presence of iron in it in the form of hemoglobin. The absorption of the red color of the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation results in the appearance of the veins as green and blue as these colors do not get absorbed by the skin.
What are two differences between arteries and veins
Arteries and veins are the types of blood vessels of the circulatory system. Arteries are thick but not veins, as they are thin. Arteries have no valves while veins contain valves. Arteries carry oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery while veins carry deoxygenated blood but pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood.
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