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Artery Definition

By , About.com Guide

Updated February 24, 2009

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Definition: An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. The arteries carry blood to the tissues and structures of the body.

The pulmonary artery, which carries blood from the heart to the lungs, is the only artery in the human body that carries blood that has not been oxygenated.

The blood vessels of the body, which includes both arteries and veins, is referred to as the vascular system.

Also Known As: arteries, arterial, arteriole, arterioles,
Common Misspellings: artory, artary, artry, aretery,
Examples:
A surgeon who operates primarily on the arteries and veins is a vascular surgeon.

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