Book 10, Question 42
Why Are Arteries Thicker-Walled than Veins?
Arteries have thicker walls than veins because they carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.
Arteries have thicker walls than veins because they take high-pressure spurts of blood straight from your heart! Veins carry blood back at lower pressure. Each tube is built for its own job.
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Quick answers
How do veins keep blood moving?
Because the pressure in veins is low, one way valves stop blood from flowing backward.
More fun facts
- Arteries carry blood away from the heart.
- Blood in arteries is under high pressure, so arteries have thick, muscular and stretchy walls.
- Veins carry blood back to the heart under low pressure.
- Veins have thinner walls with less muscle than arteries.
- Because the pressure in veins is low, one way valves stop blood from flowing backward.
Questions kids ask
What connects arteries and veins?
Tiny blood vessels called capillaries link them.