In this module, you will learn:
- the three types of blood vessels
- the characteristics and differences between the blood vessels
Resources to help you:
- Textbook: page 45
- Notebook: page 10
Blood vessels
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The function of the heart is to pump blood all over the body. To carry the blood, the body has blood vessels. They are like the pipes of our body.
There are three types of blood vessels.
- artery
- vein
- capillary
Blood vessels deliver blood to all parts of the body
Credit: @lightsource via Depositphotos
From left to right; artery, vein and capillary
Artery
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- These blood vessels carry blood away from the heart.
- They have a small lumen.
- They have thick walls to withstand the high pressure.
- They have no valves.
- They carry oxygenated blood except for the pulmonary artery.
Vein
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- These blood vessels carry blood towards the heart.
- They have a large lumen.
- They have thinner walls as the pressure is lower.
- They have valves.
- They carry deoxygenated blood except for the pulmonary vein.
Capillary
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- These blood vessels connect the arteries and veins.
- They have a small lumen.
- They have are only one cell thick.
- They have no valves.
Time for practice quiz
Now that you have learnt about the blood vessels, you can click below to do a practice quiz
