The main function of the arteries is to circulate or to carry oxygenated blood from the heart to different parts of the human body. Walls of the arteries are thick because they have to withstand the high pressure released from the heart during the process of pumping the blood. Therefore, the thick walls of the arteries help in maintaining the blood pressure simultaneously by controlling blood flow.
Explore more: Human Circulatory System
Let’s learn more in detail about arteries- The blood vessels.
Blood is one of the most important and fluid connective tissues. Both blood cells and blood vessels play an essential role in the circulatory system. Almost all animals, insects, birds and humans possess a circulatory system, which is composed of the heart, blood cells and blood vessels.
Explore more: Blood and its Components
What are Arteries?
Arteries are blood vessels, the network of pathways through which the oxygenated blood travels away from the heart to various cells, tissues and organs of the human body.
There are three different types of arteries:
- Elastic arteries
- Muscular arteries
- Arterioles
Compared to other blood vessels, arteries have thick walls and are located superficially. This is mainly because these blood vessels perform the critical function of carrying oxygenated blood throughout the body under considerable pressure. In case these blood vessels have thinner walls, they would get damaged, which results in blood loss caused by the rupture of blood vessels.
Explore more: Differences between Arteries and Veins
This article concludes the introduction to arteries and why arteries have thick walls. Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more in detail about arteries, veins, blood cells,blood vessels and other related topics, at BYJU’S Biology.
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