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How is a vein different from an artery?

In: Veins, Arteries [Edit categories]

Answer:

Blood travels away from the heart through arteries and to the heart through the veins.

Veins are thin walled, with valves in them and with a wide lumen (central opening, the space that blood flows).

Arteries are thick, muscular walled with many different layers and with a narrow lumen.

In most cases, veins carry oxygen depleted blood (blue blood) from the tissues while arteries carry oxygen rich blood (red blood) to the tissues. However, the pulmonary artery carries oxygen depleted blood from the heart to the lungs. The pulmonary veins carry oxygen rich blood to the heart from the lungs.

First answer by Pzavon. Last edit by Pzavon. Contributor trust: 759 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 5 [recommend question].

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