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Circulatory System - Blood Vessels - Coggle Diagram
Circulatory System - Blood Vessels
Blood is transported in arteries, veins and capillaries.
Blood is pumped from the heart in the arteries. It is returned to the heart in the veins.
The capillaries connect the two types of blood vessel and molecules are exchanged between the blood and the cells across their walls.
Arteries
Have thick muscular and elastic walls to pump and accommodate blood
A type of supporting tissue called connective tissue provides strength
Carry blood under high pressure
Carry oxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary artery
The channel in the blood vessel that carries blood - the lumen - is narrow
Always carry blood away from the heart
Veins
Carry blood under low or negative pressure
Have thin walls - have less muscular tissue than arteries
Always carry deoxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary vein
Have less connective tissue than arteries
Always carry blood to the heart
Have a wide lumen
Capillaries
Capillaries connect the smallest branches of arteries and veins
The walls of capillaries are just one cell thick. Capillaries therefore allow the exchange of molecules between the blood and the body's cells - molecules can diffuse across their walls. This exchange of molecules is not possible across the walls of other types of blood vessel.