What do arteries carry?

Arteries are blood vessels that play a crucial role in the circulatory system by transporting oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and organs. This process is essential for delivering the necessary oxygen that tissues need for metabolism and function. The primary artery responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart is the aorta, which branches into smaller arteries that reach various parts of the body.

While it is true that some blood vessels carry other substances, such as nutrients or waste products, arteries specifically are defined by their function of carrying oxygen-rich blood. Therefore, the understanding of arteries as vessels that transport oxygenated blood is fundamental to grasping cardiovascular physiology and the circulatory system's overall operation.