What term describes blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart?

The term that describes blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart is arteries. Arteries are an essential part of the circulatory system, as they transport oxygenated blood from the heart to various tissues and organs throughout the body, facilitating the delivery of oxygen and nutrients that are vital for cellular functions.

In contrast, veins are responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while capillaries are the small blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other substances occurs between the blood and tissues. Ventricles, on the other hand, are chambers of the heart that pump blood out into the arteries. Therefore, the distinctive function of arteries is crucial for maintaining the flow of oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, highlighting why this term is the correct choice.