Generally, veins are thicker and tougher than arteries.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not sure

Answer: (A)

Wall structure reflects the pressure each vessel endures. Arteries carry blood away from the heart under high, pulsatile pressure, so their walls are thick and muscular with a prominent tunica media and elastic fibers. This design gives them strength and the ability to recoil between beats. Veins, on the other hand, operate at much lower pressure and serve as capacitance vessels that store blood; their walls are thinner overall, with less smooth muscle and elastic tissue, and they have large lumens. They rely on valves and surrounding muscles to help propel blood back to the heart rather than on rigid, muscular walls. Because of these functional differences, veins are not thicker and tougher than arteries; the statement is not correct.