Write 3-4 paragraphs comparing and contrasting arteries and veins. what are they? what is their purpose? how do they function? include an explanation of a common medical issues for both.

I'm not going to fully write out 3-4 paragraphs but I will give you some information to start out with :) I greatly enjoy doing research and writing about the things I have learned. 

Arteries:
Arteries are any of the muscular-walled tubes forming part of the circulation system by which blood (mainly that which has been oxygenated) is conveyed from the heart to all parts of the body.  Each artery is a muscular tube lined by smooth tissue and has three layers. These are the three layers and their purpose. 
*The intima-The inner layer lined by a smooth tissue called endothelium
*The media- A layer of muscle that lets arteries handle the high pressures from the heart
*The adventitia-Connective tissue anchoring arteries to nearby tissues

Veins are blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood to the heart. In contrast to veins, arteries carry blood away from the heart.
Veins are classified in a number of ways, including superficial vs. deep, pulmonary vs. systemic, and large vs. small.

*Superficial veins are those closer to the surface of the body, and have no corresponding arteries.
*Deep veins are deeper in the body and have corresponding arteries.
*Perforator veins drain from the superficial to the deep veins. These are usually referred to in the lower limbs and feet.
*Communicating veins are veins that directly connect superficial veins to deep veins.
*Pulmonary veins are a set of veins that deliver oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.
*Systemic veins drain the tissues of the body and deliver deoxygenated blood to the heart.

I hoped this helped and gave you some useful information. Good luck, I hope you do well on your assignment :) ~Sadie 

Writing it down so you can remember it but if you truly think nothing is to bad