Blood vessels are a network of tubes that carry blood throughout the entire body. There are three types of Blood Vessels: Arteries, Veins and Capillaries. The vessels that carry the blood away from the heart are called arteries. They carry oxygenated blood. Veins carry blood towards the heart. They carry blood that is de-oxygenated. They have valves that stop the backflow of blood. Capillaries connect the arteries and veins. They carry both oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. They are in close contact with cells.