Last Updated: 7 May 2026Verified for JEE 2027
BiologyNEET
Difference Between Arteries and Veins
Arteries and veins are blood vessels with different structures and functions. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins return blood to the heart.
Arteries vs Veins — Comparison Table
| Aspect | Arteries | Veins |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Away from heart | Toward heart |
| Blood type | Usually oxygenated (except pulmonary artery) | Usually deoxygenated (except pulmonary vein) |
| Wall thickness | Thick, muscular walls | Thin walls |
| Lumen | Narrow | Wide |
| Valves | No valves (except aortic/pulmonary) | Have valves to prevent backflow |
| Pressure | High pressure | Low pressure |
| Pulse | Pulse felt | No pulse |
| Location | Deep in body | Superficial and deep |
Key Points to Remember
Pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood (exception)
Pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood (exception)
Arterioles regulate blood pressure through vasoconstriction/vasodilation
Veins have a larger total cross-sectional area than arteries
Exam Relevance
This topic falls under Body Fluids and Circulation in Biology for NEET. Questions on the difference between arteries and veins appear frequently in competitive exams, both as direct MCQs and as part of numerical/assertion-reason problems.
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