Arteries and veins

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Arteries and veins

Similarities

  • Both contain smooth muscle
  • Contain elastic tissue
  • Contain collagen
  • Have endothelium
  • Have lumen

Differences

  • Veins have valves
  • Veins have wider lumen
  • Arteries have thicker muscular walls and layers of collagen and elastic tissue
  • Arteries transport blood at higher pressures

Overall comparison

Veins have thinner walls than arteries but have valves to prevent the backflow of blood. Arteries transport blood at higher pressures due to a narrow lumen. Arteries pump blood away from the heart, the aorta pumps blood around the body and needs enough pressure for the blood to reach the entire body to transport oxygen, minerals and other substances.

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