The Structure of Blood Vessels (AQA GCSE Physical Education): Revision Notes

The Structure Of Blood Vessels

Artery:

• Thick muscular walls
• Thick elastic walls
• Small lumen (internal diameter)
• Carry blood at high pressure
• Cary blood away from the heart
• Usually carry oxygenated blood (except the pulmonary artery)

Vein:

• Thin walls
• Large lumen (internal diameter)
• Carry blood at low pressure
• Contain valves
• Mainly carry deoxygenated blood (except the pulmonary vein)

Capillary:

• Very thin walls (one cell thick)
• Small lumen (internal diameter)
• Link smaller arteries with small veins
• Allow gaseous exchange
• Carry blood at low pressure