Which vessel carries blood away from the heart toward the tissues?

• A. Arteriole
• B. Vein
• C. Capillary
• D. Aorta

Answer: (A)

Blood moves from the heart into the tissues through arteries, and the small branches that carry blood directly toward tissue beds are arterioles. Arterioles are the linked step between larger arteries and capillaries, and their muscular walls can constrict or dilate to regulate how much blood and what pressure reaches the tissues. Veins bring blood back to the heart, capillaries are where exchange occurs, and the aorta is the main large artery leaving the heart; but the vessel that most specifically delivers blood toward the tissues in the given options is the arteriole.