The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body.

The most important types, arteries and veins, carry blood away from or towards the heart, respectively.

All blood vessels have the same basic structure.

The inner lining is the endothelium and is surrounded by subendothelial connective tissue.

Around this there is a layer of vascular smooth muscle, which is highly developed in arteries.

Finally, there is a further layer of connective tissue known as the adventitia, which contains nerves that supply the muscular layer, as well as nutrient capillaries in the larger blood vessels.

For more information about the topic Blood vessel, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Vein — In biology, a vein is a blood vessel which carries blood toward the heart. Veins form part of the circulatory system. The vessels that carry blood ...  > read more

Circulatory system — A circulatory system (sometimes cardiovascular system) is an organ system that moves substances to and from cells; it can also help stabilize body ...  > read more

Artery — Arteries are muscular vessels that carry blood away from the heart. They are contrasted with veins, which carry blood toward the heart. The ...  > read more

Lymphatic system — Lymph originates as blood plasma lost from the circulatory system, which leaks out into the surrounding tissues. The lymphatic system collects this ...  > read more

Editor's Note: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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