The diagram of blood vessels shows that blood vessels transport blood, oxygen, nutrients, and water throughout the body. These are part of the cardiovascular system that carries blood throughout the body. The diagram of blood vessels in class 10 is an important topic in the biology syllabus. There are three major types of blood vessels in the body – veins, arteries, and capillaries.
The labeled diagram of blood vessels is shown below:
Diagram of blood vessels
Table of Content
What are Blood Vessels?
Blood vessels are the channels by which blood is distributed to all the tissues of the body. They transport nutrients, oxygen, and water to body cells. The arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart whereas the veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart. The capillaries facilitate the exchange of nutrients, gases, and waste products between the bloodstream and surrounding tissues through their thin walls.
Also Read: Overview of Circulatory System
Blood Vessels Anatomy
The blood vessels classification is based on their structure and function. They are:
Arteries
- Oxygenated blood flows away from the heart through arteries
- Pulmonary arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs
- Oxygenated blood is transported from the left ventricle to the body tissues by systemic arteries
Capillaries
- Exchange of material between blood and tissue occurs in the capillaries
- Capillaries form the connection between the blood vessels i.e arteries and veins
- The primary function of capillaries is the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste
Veins
- Veins carry blood toward the heart.
- After the capillaries release oxygen and other substances from blood into body tissues, blood enters the smallest veins, called venules.
- From the venules, it flows into progressively larger veins until it reaches back to the heart through the vena ceva.
The wall of the blood vessels consists of three layers:
- Tunica intima: Innermost layer; made up of simple squamous epithelium surrounded by a connective tissue basement membrane with elastic fibers.
- Tunica media: This middle layer, which is typically the thickest, is mainly made up of smooth muscle. In addition to supporting the vessel, it modifies its diameter to control blood pressure and flow.
- Tunica externa: The outermost layer that binds the vessel to the surrounding tissue is called the tunica externa. There are different amounts of elastic and collagenous fibers in this layer of connective tissue.
Differences Between Arteries and Veins
The difference between arteries and veins in tabular form is given below:
|
Feature |
Arteries |
Veins |
|---|---|---|
|
Direction of transport |
Carries blood away from the heart |
Carries blood towards the heart |
|
Type of blood |
Carries oxygenated blood |
Carries deoxygenated blood |
|
Location |
Deep within the body |
Close to the skin |
|
Colour |
Red due to the oxygenated blood |
Blue due to the deoxygenated blood |
|
Exception |
The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood |
The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood |
|
Walls |
Thick and elastic walls |
Thin walls and less elastic |
|
Lumen |
The lumen in arteries is narrow |
The lumen in veins is wide |
Also Read: Difference Between Arteries And Veins
Conclusion – Diagram of Blood Vessels
In conclusion, the diagram of blood vessels shows that there are three main types of blood vessels in the circulatory system: arteries, veins, and capillaries. Arteries carry blood pumped away from the heart whereas veins return blood to the heart. Capillaries are the tiny vessels that connect arteries and veins.
Also Read:
FAQs on Diagram of Blood Vessels
What are the 3 Blood Vessels?
The 3 types of blood vessels are: Arteries — these carry blood pumped away from the heart; Veins — these return blood to the heart and Capillaries —tiny vessels that connect arteries and veins.
Where can I Find the Diagram of Blood Vessels Class 10?
You can find the diagram of blood vessels labelled at the top of the article.
What does the Diagram of Blood Vessels in Human Body Show?
The diagram of blood vessels in the human body illustrates the complex network responsible for transporting blood throughout the body, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.
What is the Simple Structure of Blood Vessels?
Apart from capillaries, all blood vessels are made of three layers—The tunica externa or outer layer, tunica media or middle layer and tunica interna or the inner layer.
What is the Smallest Vein?
The smallest veins in the body are venules.
What is the Largest Artery in the Body?
The largest artery of the body is the aorta and it carries blood from the heart to the circulatory system.
What is Blood Vessels with Diagram?
Blood Vessels are a network of hollow, tube pipes that transport nutrients, gases, and blood throughout the body tissues.