What type of blood do arteries (except pulmonary) carry?

Arteries, with the exception of the pulmonary arteries, are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood away from the heart to various tissues and organs throughout the body. This is crucial for supplying the cells with the oxygen they need for metabolism and other vital functions.

As blood is pumped from the left ventricle of the heart through the aorta and into the systemic circulation, it is oxygen-rich, having passed through the lungs where it picks up oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. The distribution of oxygenated blood is essential for maintaining overall physiological health, as it allows cells to perform their functions efficiently.

In contrast, veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, which generally contains higher levels of carbon dioxide as it returns from the tissues. Pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. Therefore, focusing on the role of the arteries in the systemic circulation clarifies why they primarily transport oxygenated blood away from the heart. Nutrient-rich blood is a characteristic of various blood vessels, including some veins and capillaries, but the primary function attributed to arteries is the transport of oxygenated blood.