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Difference Between Arteries and Veins

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Last updated date: 09th May 2024
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Difference Between Arteries and Veins: How are they Different?

There is only one portion in the human body that lacks blood vessels. Apart from that, there are blood vessels everywhere. And when something is present in our body in abundance, isn't it necessary to understand it? So, what's the best way to understand them? To give the difference between arteries and veins. The difference between arteries and veins class, is the best reference for it. So, why not take that and add something interesting alongside? That's what the article below does!

Learn to Explain Arteries and Veins

Is your question- "what is arteries and veins?" Then worry not, in the below subsections, you'll have all the information you need to understand the characteristics of arteries and veins. So, let's get right to it and learn- what is arteries and veins


Arteries

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart and are responsible for the flow of oxygenated blood(except pulmonary arteries) in the human body. They are located deep within the body and are considered to be red. They are thick and elastic to manage the pressure of the blood pumped by the heart. The flow of blood is downward from the heart to the body tissues.  


Veins

Veins are the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart and are responsible for the flow of deoxygenated blood (except pulmonary veins) in the body. They are thin and less elastic, carrying a high blood volume( about 75 %) and low pressure. They are located closer to the skin and are blue. The flow of blood is in the upward direction from the body tissues to the heart which contains valves to keep the blood flowing.


Arteries and Veins Difference: How Many are there?

It is not very difficult to explain arteries and veins once you know the arteries and veins difference. To understand the difference between arteries and veins and more, you can go through the  table below: 


S.No.

Category

Arteries

Veins

1

Direction of Blood Flow

Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart

Carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart

2

Blood Color

Bright red

Dark red

3

Wall Thickness

Thick walls with elastic and muscular fibers

Thin walls with less muscle and elasticity

4

Valves

Valves are absent

Valves are present in most veins

5

Blood Pressure

High blood pressure

Low blood pressure

6

Oxygen Saturation

High oxygen saturation

Low oxygen saturation

7

Pulse

Strong and rhythmic pulse

Weak and less rhythmic pulse

8

Diameter

Smaller in diameter

Larger in diameter

9

Muscle Content

More smooth muscle fibers

Less smooth muscle fibers

10

Elasticity

Highly elastic

Less elastic

11

Location

Located deeper in the body

Located closer to the surface

12

Collateral Circulation

Less developed collateral circulation

Well-developed collateral circulation

13

Presence in Capillary Beds

Absent in capillary beds

Present in capillary beds

14

Blood Volume

Carry a smaller volume of blood

Carry a larger volume of blood

15

Endothelial Permeability

Less permeable

More permeable

16

Response to Injury

Constrict in response to injury

Dilate in response to injury

17

Function in Circulation

Distribute oxygenated blood to organs and tissues

Return deoxygenated blood from organs and tissues

18

Blood Clotting

Arteries have a lower tendency to form blood clots

Veins have a higher tendency to form blood clots

19

Examples

Coronary arteries, aorta, femoral artery

Superior vena cava, pulmonary veins, jugular veins


Conclusion

The difference between arteries and veins is very important in understanding their functionalities. After you have a thorough knowledge of the arteries and veins difference, you can easily understand various functions of the human body. Starting from blood clotting, circulation, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, etc. But, does the above article only cover the arteries and veins difference? No. It also covers their definition, some important arteries and veins. Therefore, you will get your time's worth from the above article!

FAQs on Difference Between Arteries and Veins

1. What are different arteries and veins present in a human body?

Read below to learn the different arteries and veins present in a human body:


  • Arteries

Aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart to supply oxygenated blood to the entire body. Pulmonary Arteries are the only arteries that carry oxygen-deficit ( deoxygenated) blood from the heart to the lungs. Other arteries such as the Carotid, Subclavian, Brachial Artery, and Coronary Arteries supply blood to different body parts.


  • Veins: 

Superior and Inferior Vena Cava are the largest veins in the body that carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart. Pulmonary Veins are the only veins that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart. There are other veins such as the Basilic and Cephalic Veins, Femoral veins, and The coronary Sinus.

2. Do you know the 2 most important arteries and veins?

The two most important arteries and veins are the main pulmonary artery, the aorta, and the pulmonary veins, the vena cava respectively. Aorta is the largest artery in the body that supplies oxygenated blood to the body. Pulmonary arteries arise from the right ventricle of the heart and carry carbon dioxide-rich blood and then pump it to the lungs for oxygenation. Pulmonary veins carry oxygen-rich blood and arise from the lungs to the left auricle of the heart. The Vena cava vein is responsible for collecting deoxygenated blood from the body and delivering it to the heart's right atrium.

3. What are three different types of veins?

The three different types of veins are:


  • Pulmonary veins are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood and transport it from the lungs back to the heart specifically to the left atrium.   

  • Systemic veins are responsible for returning deoxygenated blood from the body tissues to the heart. Superior and inferior vena cava and hepatic portal veins are some examples.   

  • Deep veins are located deeper within the body, running alongside major arteries. They have larger and thicker walls than superficial veins for example femoral and popliteal veins present in the deep of the legs