Differences between Arteries and Veins
Veins and arterial blood vessels are the two kinds of blood vessels that are part of the closed circulatory system. The primary purpose that blood vessels serve is move circulation of blood around the entire body. However, veins and arteries differ in design and purpose. Veins are made up of an elastic, thin layer that is embedded in their wall. While arterial arteries comprise a dense flexible muscle. The wall that is thick in the artery plays a crucial role in the handling of the high pressure of blood that is released from the heart. Veins carry oxygen depleted blood to the heart, whereas arteries transport circulated oxygenated blood out of the heart. The primary distinction between arteries and veins is that veins play a role in the removal of cellular wastes and toxins from the surrounding environment, while arteries are involved in providing oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body.
Are Veins a Vein?
Veins are blood vessels that transport oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. The vein is made up of thin, flexible blood vessels. The blood pressure transported by veins is 5 millimeters Hg. The blood that flows through veins circulates by means of muscle contractions. The diameter of a blood vessel can range from 1 mm to 1.5 centimeters. Venules are the narrowest veins that branch off from veins. The venules take liquid from the capillaries. The blood that flows through veins is absorbed by the Vena cava. The vena cava carries blood through the superior vena cava as well as inferior vena cava, and eventually directly to the right heart atrium.
The four vein types found in the circulatory system are pulmonary, systematic superficial, deep, and veins. The systemic veins transport oxygen-depleted circulation of blood through the body and to the. The pulmonary veins transport oxygenated blood from the lungs into in the left atrium. The veins that are connected close to skin veins are called superficial veins. The veins located within deep muscles are known as deep veins.
What are arteries?
The arteries are the second kind of blood vessel in the circulatory system. They transport the oxygenated blood away the heart. They are made of elastic walls. The typical blood pressure in an artery is 120 millimeters Hg. The two kinds of arteries that exist in the body are pulmonary arteries as well as systemic arteries. The pulmonary arteries transport blood that is oxygen depleted from the heart and to the lung. The systemic arteries transport flow of oxygenated blood out from the heart and to the body’s rest. The most important arterial system in the body is aorta. It is located at the center of your heart. The aorta branching out into arteries, which transfer circulation of blood around the entire body.
The principal artery that delivers cerebral blood is known as the brachiocephalic or brachiocephalic artery. the main artery which supplies blood supply to the hearts and lower parts in the human body are known as the coronary arterial. The arterioles branch off from the coronary artery.
Similarities between Veins and Arteries
- Veins and arteries play a role in the transport of blood throughout the body within an open circulatory system.
- The walls of both arteries and veins comprise three layers: tunica adventitia, tunica media and the tunica intima.
- Both arteries and veins are essential to the movement of material within the human body.
Differences between Arteries and Veins – Arteries vs Veins
| Character | Arteries | Veins |
| Definition | Blood vessels that transport blood away from the heart. | Blood vessels that transport blood to the heart for oxygenation. |
| Also called | Arteries look Red. | Veins look Blue (But they aren’t actually blue, blue lights are just reflected in our eyes). |
| Position | Usually positioned deeper within the body. | Usually positioned closer or beneath the surface of the skin. |
| Transport/Carry | Oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery. | Deoxygenated blood except for pulmonary vein in adult circulation and umbilical vein in foetal circulation. |
| Oxygen level | Oxygen levels are quite high in arterial blood. | The oxygen level is low comparatively. |
| Carbon-dioxide level | The CO2 level is low in arterial blood. | The CO2 level is high in venous blood. |
| Volume of blood | Low (About 15%) | High (About 65%) |
| Structure | 3 layers of tissue:Outer coat (Tunica adventitia)The middle coat (Tunica media)The inner coat(Tunica intima) | Also, possess the same 3 layers but all much thinner. |
| Tunica adventitia | Less developed. | More developed. |
| Tunica media | More muscular. | Less muscular. |
| Tunica intima | Endothelial cells are more elongated. | Endothelial cells are less elongated. |
| Thickest layer | Tunica media | Tunica adventitia |
| Walls | Much stronger and rigid than veins. | Less strong or collapsible walls. |
| Muscularity | More | Less |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible | Not very flexible |
| Lumen | Much narrower lumen | Comparatively wide |
| Blood pressure | Higher in arteries | Lower in veins |
| Movement of blood | Spurty movement | Sluggish movement |
| Pulse (wrist) | Detectable (radial artery) | Not detectable. |
| Valves | Absent (except for semi-lunar valves). | Contain valves to help keep blood flowing in the right direction. |
| Pathway of blood flow | Very distinct | Sometimes indistinguishable because of many interconnections |
| Collapsing of vessel | Would generally remain open if blood flow stopped, due to their thick muscular layer. | Would collapse if blood flow stops. |
| Injury to the Blood Vessel | Squirting blood | Pooling of blood |
| Contraction of muscle | Present | Absent |
| At the time of death | Arteries empty up at the time of death. | Veins get filled up at the time of death. |
| Types | Pulmonary arteriesSystemic arteries | Deep veinsSuperficial veinsPulmonary veinsSystemic veins |
| Associated Diseases | Atherosclerosis, Angina Pectoris, Artherogenesis- myocardial ischemia. | Deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins. |
