As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels, called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic tubes that carry blood to every part of the body.
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Arteries
The arteries (red) carry oxygen and nutrients away from your heart, to your body's tissues.
The veins (blue) take oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
Capillaries
Veins
This vast system of blood vessels - arteries, veins, and capillaries - is over 60,000 miles long. That's long enough to go around the world more than twice!
Blood flows continuously through your body's blood vessels. Your heart is the pump that makes it all possible.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 04/30/2019.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy