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Blood Vessels

blood vesselThe three types of blood vessels are the arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Capillaries: Connecting Arteries and Veins

Unlike the arteries and veins, capillaries are very thin and fragile. The capillaries are actually only one epithelial cell thick. They are so thin that blood cells can only pass through them in single file. The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place through the thin capillary wall. The red blood cells inside the capillary release their oxygen which passes through the wall and into the surrounding tissue. The tissue releases its waste products, like carbon dioxide, which passes through the wall and into the red blood cells. Continue reading Blood Vessels