Come, Learn the Differences in Arteries and Veins Here

Blood vessels are divided into three types, namely arteries, veins, and capillaries. Differences in arteries and veins can be known when we look at it from the side of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system is responsible for supplying nutrients and oxygen to all body tissues. In addition, the system consisting of the heart and blood vessels also plays a role in bringing the remnants of the metabolic process to the organs of disposal in the kidneys and lungs. Broadly speaking, differences in arteries and veins in the cardiovascular system can be seen in the direction of the blood flow it carries. The arteries carry the blood from the heart throughout the body. Instead, veins are responsible for delivering blood from the body's organs back to the heart.

Difference between Arteries and Veins

In order to know the differences in arteries and veins deeper, some of the descriptions below should be known first.

• Blood flowed

The body needs oxygen contained in the blood to survive. The oxygenated blood is pumped from the heart to all body tissues along the arteries. While the task of veins is to bring blood back to the heart. Blood flowed in veins has a lower oxygen content and contains carbon dioxide respiratory residues.

• Thickness of blood vessel walls

One significant difference in arteries and veins is the thickness of the walls. Arterial vessels have thick layers of muscle in their walls that can contract to reduce the size of the arteries, or relax to become wider according to the body's needs. While thinner-walled veins, because the muscle layer is thinner.

• Branching

Arteries are divided into many branches like a tree. The largest arterial branch is called the aorta. The aorta then branches several times into smaller branches. The more away from the heart, the smaller the branches of the arteries. Meanwhile, vein branches become enlarged when approaching the heart.

• Valve

The striking difference between arteries and veins is that veins have one-way valves. This valve serves to prevent blood from flowing back in the wrong direction. Meanwhile, the arteries do not need a valve because the pressure from the heart makes blood flow in one direction.

All arteries function to carry oxygenated blood throughout the body, except the pulmonary arteries which carry oxygenless blood to the lungs. In contrast, all veins function to carry carbon dioxide-rich blood from the body to the heart, except for the pulmonary veins that carry oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the heart.

Common Disorders of Arteries and Veins

Another striking difference between arteries and veins is a disorder that has the potential to afflict both.

• Arterial Disorders

In the arteries, a potentially dangerous threat is blocked. Blockage of the arteries can be caused by a fatty substance called plaque or atheroma. Disorders of the arteries are called atherosclerosis. Because plaque deposits, the arteries will experience hardening and narrowing. This will disrupt blood flow and oxygen supply to the body's vital organs. Other risks that arise are blood clots that have the potential to cause obstruction of blood flow to the tissues and organs of the body, such as the brain or heart. Atherosclerosis tends to occur without the initial symptoms so that many are not aware of having it. This disease has the potential to cause health problems that can be life threatening. If left untreated, this arterial disorder can cause strokes and heart attacks. Disorders of the arteries can also cause peripheral arterial disease.

• Venous Disorders

Common disorders of veins are varicose veins, which are enlarged veins. All veins are at risk of developing varicose veins, but the most often are veins in the legs. This occurs due to excessive pressure on the lower blood vessels of the body due to standing or walking upright for too long. In addition to varicose veins, diseases of the veins that need to be aware of are deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This condition occurs when there are blood clots that block veins in the legs. Symptoms include pain in the legs, discoloration of the limbs to redness or blueness, to swelling and warmth in the legs. Sometimes DVT can occur without symptoms. If not treated immediately, these blood clots can move to other parts of the body, causing severe health problems such as pulmonary embolism.

Seeing the differences in arteries and veins from the functions and disorders that commonly suffer from it, we should be more vigilant in maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. This is because the cardiovascular system has a very crucial function for human survival.