Which type of blood vessels carry blood towards the heart?

Veins are the type of blood vessels that carry blood towards the heart. They have thin walls and often contain valves to help keep the blood flowing in the correct direction, especially from the limbs and other areas back to the heart against the force of gravity. This process is essential for maintaining proper circulation and ensuring that deoxygenated blood returns to the heart, where it can be sent to the lungs for oxygenation.

In contrast, arteries transport blood away from the heart, carrying oxygenated blood to various parts of the body. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues. Arterioles are smaller branches of arteries that lead into capillaries, regulating blood flow into the capillary networks, but they do not transport blood back to the heart.