In the circulatory model described, which vessels carry oxygenated blood?

In the circulatory model described, which vessels carry oxygenated blood?

• A. Veins
• B. Arteries
• C. Capillaries
• D. Lymphatics

Answer: (B)

In most circulatory models, arteries are the vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues. This is because they come from the left side of the heart and have walls built to handle the higher pressure of blood being ejected into the systemic circulation, delivering oxygen to cells as it travels through the body. After the blood delivers oxygen and picks up waste, it returns to the heart through the veins. There is an important exception to keep in mind: in the pulmonary circuit, the pulmonary arteries carry blood that is low in oxygen to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood back to the heart. Lymphatics carry lymph, not blood, and capillaries are tiny vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs; the oxygen content in capillaries changes as blood moves through them, rather than defining a vessel type that consistently carries oxygenated blood. So, the vessels that carry oxygenated blood in the typical systemic sense are arteries.

In most circulatory models, arteries are the vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the tissues. This is because they come from the left side of the heart and have walls built to handle the higher pressure of blood being ejected into the systemic circulation, delivering oxygen to cells as it travels through the body. After the blood delivers oxygen and picks up waste, it returns to the heart through the veins.

There is an important exception to keep in mind: in the pulmonary circuit, the pulmonary arteries carry blood that is low in oxygen to the lungs, and the pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood back to the heart. Lymphatics carry lymph, not blood, and capillaries are tiny vessels where gas and nutrient exchange occurs; the oxygen content in capillaries changes as blood moves through them, rather than defining a vessel type that consistently carries oxygenated blood.

So, the vessels that carry oxygenated blood in the typical systemic sense are arteries.