Blood vessels are the intricate network of tubes that transport blood throughout the body. There are three main types of blood vessels:
Arteries: These blood vessels carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body’s tissues. Arteries have thick, muscular walls that allow them to withstand the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart.
Veins: Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart from the body’s tissues. Unlike arteries, veins have thinner walls and contain valves to prevent blood from flowing backward.
Capillaries: Capillaries are tiny, thin-walled blood vessels that connect arteries to veins. They facilitate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and the body’s tissues.
The circulatory system, also known as the cardiovascular system, relies on these blood vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells while removing waste products and carbon dioxide.