Which blood vessels carry blood away from the heart?

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

Answer: (B)

Direction of blood flow relative to the heart is what this item tests. Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart are arteries. They transport blood into various parts of the body, and in the systemic circuit they deliver oxygen-rich blood to tissues; in the pulmonary circuit they carry blood to the lungs (which is still away from the heart, even though the blood may be deoxygenated). Arteries have thicker, more muscular walls to handle the high pressure from the heart’s contractions. Capillaries are the tiny exchange vessels between arteries and veins. Veins carry blood back toward the heart, and venules are small veins that collect blood from capillaries and feed into larger veins.