Are thick-walled muscular blood vessels that carry oxygen-filled blood considered arteries?

Thick-walled muscular blood vessels that carry oxygen-filled blood are indeed considered arteries. This characteristic is due to the primary role of arteries in the circulatory system. Arteries are designed to transport oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body, a function that requires them to have strong and elastic walls. These walls enable the arteries to withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood that is pumped from the heart.

The structure of arteries, which includes a thick muscular layer, facilitates the accommodation of pulsatile blood flow and contributes to the overall functionality of the cardiovascular system. Additionally, while most arteries carry oxygenated blood, there are exceptions, such as pulmonary arteries, which carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. However, the defining feature that classifies a vessel as an artery is its function in the circulation of blood, particularly its role in carrying blood away from the heart, regardless of its oxygen content in most cases.

This concept aligns with the fundamental definitions and functions within human anatomy, indicating that the characterization of blood vessels as arteries is primarily based on their function and structural properties, rather than specific conditions related to nutrients or location.