Arteries

Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. They are characterized by their thick, elastic walls composed of multiple layers, including a prominent smooth muscle layer and connective tissue, which allow them to withstand and modulate the high pressure generated by the heart's contractions.

Arteries serve as conduits for oxygenated blood in the systemic circulation (with the exception of the pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs) and play a critical role in regulating blood flow and pressure through their mechanical and biological properties.