What are the differences between arteries, veins and lymphatics and how do they all connect?
The circulation of blood and other fluids around the body is performed by the circulatory system and this is broadly divided into three parts: the arterial system, the venous system and the lymphatic system. The arterial system consists of arteries which transport blood, rich in oxygen (carried by red blood cells) and nutrients, to the tissues (muscles and organs) of the body. As this blood passes through the tissues, the nutrients and oxygen are taken up and used by the tissues. Afterwards, the blood is channelled into the venous system which is made up of veins. The blood is then transported through the veins with the help of valves placed along the inside of the veins. These valves push the blood along the veins and away from the tissues, directing it back to the heart and onwards through the arterial system and so the cycle begins again. It is the arterial system which carries the blood to cleansing organs such as the liver and kidneys, where the unwanted substances can be filtered
