What roles do arteries capillaries and veins play in the cardiovascular system?

ARTERIES:

* Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body.

* Oxygenated blood is pumped from the heart into the arteries.

* Arteries have thick, muscular walls that help to maintain blood pressure.

* The largest artery in the body is the aorta, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

* Smaller arteries branch off from the aorta and carry blood to specific organs and tissues.

CAPILLARIES:

* The smallest blood vessels in the body.

* Connect arteries to veins.

* Allow oxygen and nutrients to pass from the blood into the tissues.

* Allow waste products to pass from the tissues into the blood.

VEINS:

* Carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart from the rest of the body.

* Deoxygenated blood flows from the capillaries into the veins.

* Veins have thinner walls than arteries and do not need to maintain as much pressure.

* The largest vein in the body is the superior vena cava, which carries blood from the upper body to the heart.

* Smaller veins branch off from the superior vena cava and carry blood from specific organs and tissues.

The cardiovascular system is a complex network of blood vessels that transport blood throughout the body. Arteries, capillaries, and veins play essential roles in this system, ensuring oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the cells and waste products are removed.