Blood vessels

Blood vessels are the essential highways of the circulatory system, comprising arteries, veins, and capillaries, each with unique functions and structures. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to various parts of the body. They are designed to handle high pressure as the heart pumps blood through them. Veins, on the other hand, are responsible for returning oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. They have thinner walls compared to arteries and often contain valves to prevent backflow, ensuring blood flows in one direction. Connecting these two types of vessels are the capillaries, the smallest and most numerous blood vessels. Capillaries facilitate the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste products between blood and surrounding tissues through their thin walls. Together, these three types of blood vessels play a crucial role in maintaining the body's homeostasis and ensuring that each cell receives the necessary substances for survival and function Attributions: Comparison of artery & vein image: OpenStax College, CC BY 3.0 creativecommon..., via Wikimedia Commons Capillaries: en.m.wikipedia...