Arteries Carry Blood Away

Arteries are the vessels that carry blood away from the heart. The heart pumps blood out of one main artery called the dorsal aorta. The main artery divides and branches out into many smaller arteries so that each region of your body actually has its own artery system in place.

Arteries are very tough on the outside but very smooth on the inside. Actually, an artery has three layers; an outer layer of tissue, a muscular middle, and inner layer of epilethal cells. The muscle in the middle is elastic and very strong. The inner layer is very smooth so that blood can easily flow with no obstacles in its path.

The muscular wall of the artery helps the heart pump blood. Every time the heart beats, an artery expands and fills with blood. When the heart relaxes, the artery contracts and exerts a force that is strong enough to push the blood along. The combination of these two actions results in an efficient circulation system.

Arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the capillaries and this is where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs. The capillaries then deliver the waste-rich blood to the veins for transport back to the lungs and to the heart