Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, while veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Arteries have thick, muscular walls to withstand the high pressure of blood flow, while veins have thinner walls and valves to prevent backflow of blood. Arteries typically have a pulsating flow of blood due to the of the heart, while veins have a steady flow of blood back to the heart.
