What Are Arteries, Capillaries and Veins?
major ways blood travels is through arteries, capillaries, and veins. Each type of vessel serves a unique purpose and is responsible for its own function. Arteries are one of the most important vessels in the heart for transporting blood. Their function is to transport blood away from the heart so that it can be delivered to the body’s tissues. When the heart contracts, it forces the blood into the arteries. They have a very thick wall that is composed of smooth fibers and a layer of smooth muscles. When a doctor checks a person’s blood pressure, he or she is checking the amount of blood flow in the arteries. Capillaries are a much smaller vessel used in the transportation of blood in the human body. They are very narrow, microscopic tubes that are made of only endothelium. The main function of capillaries is transport nutrients into tissues. Additionally, they are responsible for removing waste or other materials that the body no longer needs. Capillaries are all throughout the body,
