Image: anatomia-vascular.blogspot.com
The circulatory system is composed of the heart and some conduits that carry blood through our body. Are you one of those who can’t explain how arteries and veins differ? Do not worry! It is a very common question, so in this Uncomo.com article we explain in detail what is the difference between arteries and veins.
What are arteries?
The arteries they carry out the transport of blood quickly to all the tissues of our body. They lead to cells all the oxygen taken into the lungs so that they can function.
They are made up of three types of tissues depending on the area of the artery layer: the outer layers are formed by connective tissue, the layers that are in the intermediate zone are made up of smooth muscle, and the inner ones, which are in contact with blood, are formed by endoletial tissue.
What are veins?
The structure of the veins is similar to that of the arteries but with musculature weaker. For this reason, the veins they are more flexible than arteries. Did you know that they can dilate when they carry a lot of blood?
What is the difference between arteries and veins?
To know what is the difference between veins and arteries It is necessary to know that the arteries are mainly responsible for carry blood with oxygen through the body from the heart to the tissues that compose it. In contrast, veins carry blood that is low in oxygen but made up of carbon dioxide from those tissues to the heart.
There is always an exception that proves the rule: the pulmonary arteries and veins work in opposite ways. These arteries lack oxygen and carry blood from the heart to the lungs, and veins with oxygen-rich blood originate from the lungs to the heart.
There is another interesting difference between arteries and veins. Did you know that all people have a similar arrangement of arteries? Yes, the arteries are located in similar places in different bodies. On the contrary, veins can be located in very different ways. When we they draw blood or we donate, when we need an injection or they give us serum, they do it directly into the veins because they contract less than the arteries and they can be seen better through the skin.
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