Which vessels carry blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood away from the heart. They have thick, elastic walls that allow them to withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood pumped from the heart. The primary function of arteries is to transport oxygen-rich blood (except for pulmonary arteries, which carry oxygen-poor blood) to various tissues and organs throughout the body. This is essential for nourishing cells and maintaining bodily functions.

In contrast, veins carry blood back to the heart, typically transporting oxygen-poor blood, while capillaries serve as the sites of gas and nutrient exchange between blood and tissues. Venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and ultimately merge to form veins. Therefore, while all of these vessel types play crucial roles in the circulatory system, it is arteries specifically that carry blood away from the heart.