The 8 differences between veins, arteries and capillaries

All the vital functions of the human body, and all the psychological processes such as thinking, feeling and acting, would not exist if the circulatory system did not do its job. However, this part of the body is not homogeneous, but is made up of different types of ducts, branches that cover almost all the tissues of the body and keep the cells alive by supplying them with oxygen and the materials that they need.

We'll see now the difference between arteries, veins and capillaries, and the way in which these small channels allow us to live.

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The circulatory system

Although all the cells of the human body work with relative autonomy, fulfilling their small role, they need the participation of something that goes beyond their own individuality. Not only is it necessary to be in a stable environment created by the surrounding membranes, but also a constant supply of oxygen and materials is required to maintain a operative.

Of this last task, among other things, is precisely responsible for the circulatory system. It is made up of veins, arteries, and capillaries. as well as by the heart, the organ that helps blood circulate through the inner part of these organic ducts.

On the other hand, the blood also acts as a communication channel, not only serves to nourish the cells. Specifically, it transports hormones from one place to another, causing them to be received by their respective organs. targets to awaken a change in them: a contraction, the secretion of more hormones, the adoption of another form, etc.

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The difference between arteries, capillaries and veins

The main differences between veins, capillaries and arteries (all of them parts of the circulatory system) are as follows.

1. Capillaries do not have muscular walls

Capillaries are the finest tubes of these three categories., by far. On the other hand, its walls are not associated with muscle tissues.

2. The veins return to the heart, the arteries leave it

Arteries are the first type of conduit through which blood passes after passing through the heart. The veins, on the other hand, are the entrance ducts to this.

3. The capillaries fulfill the function of “bridge”

Capillaries lie between veins and arteries. That is, they are branches that come out of the arteries and join again to form veins.

4. Arteries maintain blood pressure

The arteries they keep the blood flowing by maintaining the pressure inside the heart. Inside the veins, on the other hand, that pressure does not occur, and the same happens with the capillaries.

5. In the capillaries there is an exchange of substances, in veins and arteries, not

capillaries, In addition to being the narrowest ducts, they also have very thin walls., ideal for certain substances to pass through. This is exactly what happens: there are particles that leave the blood to reach target cells, and others enter the bloodstream through them.

In this way, the cells obtain the necessary resources to live and, on the other hand, the hormones can enter the blood and navigate through it until they reach their destination.

6. The arteries recover their shape by being crushed, the veins and capillaries do not

The walls of the arteries are thicker than those of the other channels of the nervous system, and easily retain their shape.

7. The veins carry deoxygenated blood, the other two - with oxygen

Since it is their turn to return to the heart, the blood carried by the veins has already lost its oxygen along the way, and therefore must be carried back to the lungs to the areas occupied by the alveoli.

8. Veins have valves

As the blood that goes through the veins is not subjected to the pressure generated by the impulse of the heart, it is carried towards its destination through a valve system that prevent this fluid from going in the opposite direction to where it should go.

Conclution

Although these types of ducts resemble each other in the most basic, they do not have the same properties or fulfill the same function. Whether due to their shape, their parts or the role they play in the circulatory system, they are easy to distinguish both in images and live, working on their tasks.

Of course, it must be taken into account that an injury, for example, does not have the same repercussions if it occurs in an artery, vein or capillary. The latter are the most expendable, being so narrow that they are usually out of the reach of human sight, and their breakage as a whole will bruise, but usually not much more. In contrast, a cut in the other two can be fatal.