The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the human

body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the
heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and
the tissues; and the veins, which carry blood from the capillaries back toward the heart. The word
vascular, meaning relating to the blood vessels, is derived from the Latin vas, meaning vessel. Avascular
refers to being without (blood) vessels
blood vessel
blood vessel A generic term for a tube lined by endothelium and usually invested with a muscle
layer of varying thickness, which transports blood to peripheral tissues and back.
An elastic tubular channel, such as an artery, a vein, or a capillary, through which the blood circulates.
What Is an Artery?
Comparable to a vein, an artery is a blood vessel that moves blood from the heart to the
rest of the body. The heart has recently oxygenated the majority of the blood that it
transports.
Composition
o The large arteries near the heart are composed of three layers. The outer
coating is a tough elastic material, and the inner coating is a thin and very
smooth material. Between the two is a layer of muscular tissue.


Artery
Arterial walls are muscular in nature, allowing them to contract and expand in
order to direct oxygenated blood flow away from the heart. The pulmonary artery
is the only artery to transport blood other than oxygenated blood.
Sponsored Links
o Start Download
Download Free Converter Software Download Here!
www.donwload.pconverter.com
Arteriole
The arterioles serve as a catalyst for blood between the arteries and the
capillaries. They work much like the arteries and are the main vessels for
regulating blood pressure and flow.
Capillary
Capillaries appear in most body organs and tissues and are sometimes visible on
the skin surface. Unlike other vessels, they do not transport blood but rather
deliver the components found in blood that organs and tissues need, while also
removing waste from surrounding cells.
Venule
Venules begin the blood's journey back to the heart, as they drain the blood from
capillaries and transport it to veins.
Vein
Almost the exact opposite of arteries, veins have thick, non-elastic walls that
carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.


Read more : http://www.ehow.com/facts_5572719_differences-between-blood-vessels.html












blood
Introduction
blood, fluid pumped by the heart that circulates throughout the body via the arteries,
veins, and capillaries (see circulatory system; heart). An adult male of average size
normally has about 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of blood. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients
to the body tissues and removes carbon dioxide and other wastes. The colorless fluid of
the blood, or plasma, carries the red and white blood cells, platelets, waste products,
and various other cells and substances.
Sections in this article:
Introduction
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells)
Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)
Other Constituents of Blood
Bibliography