What direction do arteries carry blood?

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to various tissues and organs throughout the body. This characteristic is central to understanding the circulatory system's function, which is to distribute oxygen and nutrients to cells while also helping to remove waste products. Most arteries, with the notable exception of the pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs, are responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood away from the heart. This fundamental role of arteries underscores the importance of their function in maintaining the body's overall health and supporting metabolic processes. Thus, recognizing that arteries transport blood away from the heart is essential for studying the cardiovascular system.