Comparison Between Arteries, Veins and Capillaries
Comparison Between Arteries, Veins and Capillaries
The figure and table below summarise the differences between arteries, capillaries and veins.
Cross-section showing the differences between a) arteries, b) veins and c) capillaries.
Table Comparing Arteries, Capillaries, and Veins
| Arteries | Capillaries | Veins |
| blood moves away from the heart | blood supply at tissue level | blood returned to the heart |
| thick middle layer of involuntary muscle to increase or decrease diameter | one layer of endothelium with very small diameter | thin middle layer as pressure is reduced |
| inner layer of endothelium which reduces friction | only endothelium layer present | larger diameter of inner cavity, lined with endothelium to reduce friction |
| situated deeper in the tissue to maintain body temperature | situated at tissue level only | situated near the surface of the skin to release heat |
| no valves except in the base of the aorta and the pulmonary arteries | no valves present | semi-lunar valves are present at intervals, to prevent back flow of blood |
| blood always under high pressure | blood is under high pressure where red blood cells are forced to flow through in single file | blood is under low pressure |
| a pulse can be felt as blood flows | no pulse | no pulse can be detected |
Did You Know?
The average adult heart beats:
- \(\text{72}\) times a minute
- \(\text{100 000}\) times a day
- \(\text{3 600 000}\) times a year
- A billion times during a lifetime.
This lesson is part of:
Animal Systems
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