Arteries
 |
Veins
 |
| 1. |
Carry
blood away from the heart |
1. |
Carry
blood towards the heart. |
| 2. |
Blood
is under great pressure in arteries, hence it flows fast, in spurts,
reflecting the rhythmic pumping action of the heart. |
2. |
Blood
is not under great pressure in veins, hence it flows more slowly and
smoothly.
|
| 3. |
Have
thick and elastic muscular walls. |
3. |
Have
relatively thin, slightly muscular walls. |
| 4. |
Have
no valves. |
4. |
Have
semi-lunar valves along their lengths to prevent backflow of blood. |
| 5. |
Carry
red oxygenated blood (exception: pulmonary arteries which carry
deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs) |
5. |
Carry
bluish-red deoxygenated blood (exception: pulmonary veins which carry
oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart |
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