Kinds of Blood Vessels

Kinds of Blood Vessels

The human circulatory system includes five types of blood vessels:
arteries,
arterioles,
capillaries,
venules and veins.

The purpose of blood vessels is to carry blood to and from the heart, while delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.

Arteries

An artery is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart; however, the pulmonary arteries are the only arteries to carry deoxygenated blood, which is taken to the lungs.

Arterioles ( NOT STUDIED IN CLASS )

Arterioles are tiny arteries that branch off from a main artery to carry blood to the cells.

Arterioles are the main blood vessels that control blood pressure. Arterioles also lead to, and carry blood to, capillaries.


Veins
A vein is a blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood back to the heart; however, pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.


Venules ( NOT STUDIED IN CLASS )
Venules are tiny blood vessels, each one connected to many capillaries. Each capillary drains into a venule, allowing for the waste-filled blood to enter veins and be carried back toward the heart.


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