What type of blood vessel carries blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood away from the heart. They are structured to handle the high pressure of the blood pumped by the heart's contractions, typically carrying oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the body, with the exception of the pulmonary arteries, which transport deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The walls of arteries are thicker and more muscular than those of veins, allowing them to withstand and regulate the pressure exerted by the heart.

Veins, on the other hand, return blood to the heart and have thinner walls, operating under lower pressure. Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels, where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues. Venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and drain into veins, further emphasizing their role in returning blood to the heart rather than carrying it away. Thus, the distinction is clear: arteries are essential for transporting blood away from the heart, fulfilling a vital role in the circulatory system.