What distinguishes arterial bleeding from venous bleeding?

Arterial bleeding is characterized by bright red blood that spurts with the heartbeat. This occurs because arteries carry oxygenated blood directly from the heart under high pressure, causing the blood to exit the body in a pulsating manner that corresponds with the rhythm of the heart. The bright red color indicates that the blood is rich in oxygen, distinguishing it from other types of bleeding.

In contrast, venous bleeding typically has a darker red color and flows steadily rather than in spurts. This is due to the lower pressure in veins compared to arteries and the fact that venous blood is returning to the heart, which has already delivered oxygen to body tissues. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective assessment and management of patients with bleeding injuries.