What is the primary function of veins?

The primary function of veins is to carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This is a crucial aspect of the circulatory system, which maintains blood flow throughout the body. After oxygen is exchanged in the body's tissues, the blood becomes deoxygenated and needs to return to the heart for replenishment of oxygen through the lungs. Veins have one-way valves that help prevent the backflow of blood, ensuring it moves in the correct direction back to the heart. This function distinguishes veins from arteries, which carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, and underscores the role veins play in the overall efficiency of the circulatory system.