What type of blood vessels carry carbon dioxide-rich blood back to the heart?

Veins are responsible for carrying carbon dioxide-rich blood back to the heart. In the circulatory system, veins collect deoxygenated blood from the tissues and transport it back to the heart. Once the heart receives this blood, it is then sent to the lungs for oxygenation, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. While arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, veins have the specific function of returning deoxygenated blood, rich in carbon dioxide, back to the heart. This critical role in the circulatory system ensures the maintenance of proper blood gas levels and supports efficient respiratory function.