What 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 are characterized by thick, muscular walls that enable them to withstand and maintain the high pressure of blood pumped directly from the heart. This pressure is essential for transporting oxygen-rich blood throughout the body to various tissues and organs. The arterial system branches into smaller arterioles and ultimately leads to capillaries, where gas exchange occurs.

On the other hand, veins are responsible for returning blood to the heart, often containing deoxygenated blood (except for the pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs). Capillaries serve as the sites for nutrient and gas exchange and connect the arterial and venous systems. Venules are small veins that collect blood from the capillaries. Therefore, the function of arteries is distinct and crucial in the cardiovascular system as they facilitate blood flow away from the heart.