Which type of blood vessels carry blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the type of blood vessels responsible for carrying blood away from the heart. This function is crucial in the circulatory system, as arteries transport oxygen-rich blood (with the exception of the pulmonary arteries, which carry oxygen-poor blood to the lungs) to various tissues and organs throughout the body. The walls of arteries are thick and elastic, allowing them to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart's contractions and to maintain blood flow.

Veins, in contrast, carry blood back to the heart, while capillaries are the tiny blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and surrounding tissues. Venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and lead into veins. Understanding the distinct roles of these blood vessels is vital for comprehending how the circulatory system functions as a whole.