Vein vs. Venule — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Veins are large blood vessels that carry blood to the heart, while venules are smaller vessels that connect capillaries and veins.
Difference Between Vein and Venule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Veins are an integral component of the circulatory system, responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart. Venules, on the other hand, are the smallest division of veins that connect with the capillaries to begin the process of blood return.
A vein's structure is designed to handle a larger volume of blood flow and sustain lower pressure than arteries. Venules, while similar in structure to veins, are smaller and collect blood from capillaries, serving as the initial step towards larger venous pathways.
The function of veins is critical for maintaining circulatory fluid balance and ensuring proper cardiac function. Venules serve as the primary collectors of blood from the body’s tissues, before passing it on to the larger veins.
Veins often have valves that prevent the backflow of blood, helping in the efficient return of blood to the heart. Venules do not typically have these valves but are equipped with thin walls that allow for the exchange of nutrients and waste products with surrounding tissues.
In medical examinations, veins can often be seen or palpated through the skin, especially in procedures like venipuncture. Venules are not visible to the naked eye and are not typically accessed directly during medical procedures.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger, can be seen under the skin
Smaller, connective vessels
Function
Carry blood to the heart
Connect capillaries to larger veins
Structure
Have valves to prevent backflow
Lack valves, have permeable walls
Visibility
Often visible, especially when dilated
Not visible to the naked eye
Wall Thickness
Thicker walls compared to venules
Thinner walls compared to veins
Compare with Definitions
Vein
A blood vessel carrying blood towards the heart.
The nurse inserted the needle into the patient's vein for the IV drip.
Venule
The smallest kind of vein in the body.
The venules collected blood from the capillary beds.
Vein
Veins have valves to prevent backflow of blood.
The varicose vein was swollen due to the failure of venous valves.
Venule
Connects capillaries to larger veins.
Blood flows from the capillaries through venules before reaching larger veins.
Vein
Major veins include the jugular and femoral veins.
The surgeon monitored the femoral vein during the procedure.
Venule
Part of microcirculation.
The doctor explained how venules play a role in microcirculation.
Vein
Veins are blood vessels that carry blood towards 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.
Venule
Often the site of immune cell migration.
During an infection, immune cells travel through the venules to the affected site.
Vein
Any of the tubes forming part of the blood circulation system of the body, carrying in most cases oxygen-depleted blood towards the heart.
Venule
Venules have thinner walls than veins.
The venules' thin walls facilitate the exchange of substances with surrounding tissue.
Vein
A fracture in rock containing a deposit of minerals or ore and typically having an extensive course underground
Gold-bearing quartz veins
Venule
A venule is a very small blood vessel in the microcirculation that allows blood to return from the capillary beds to drain into the larger blood vessels, the veins. Venules range from 7μm to 1mm in diameter.
Vein
A distinctive quality, style, or tendency
He closes his article in a somewhat humorous vein
Venule
A very small vein, especially one collecting blood from the capillaries.
Vein
(Anatomy) Any of the membranous tubes that form a branching system and carry blood to the heart from the cells, tissues, and organs of the body.
Venule
A small vein, especially one joining capillaries to larger veins.
Vein
A blood vessel of any kind; a vein or artery
Felt the blood pounding in her veins.
Venule
(anatomy) A small vein, especially one that connects capillaries to a larger vein.
Vein
Something that looks like a blood vessel, such as the hindgut of a shrimp.
Venule
A small vein; a veinlet; specifically (Zool.), one of the small branches of the veins of the wings in insects.
Vein
(Botany) One of the strands of vascular tissue that form the conducting and supporting framework in a leaf or other expanded plant organ. Also called nervure.
Venule
A minute vein continuous with a capillary
Vein
(Zoology) One of the thickened cuticular ribs that form the supporting network of the wing of an insect and that often carry hemolymph. Also called nervure.
Vein
(Geology) A regularly shaped and lengthy occurrence of an ore; a lode.
Vein
A long wavy strip of a different shade or color, as in wood or marble, or as mold in cheese.
Vein
A fissure, crack, or cleft.
Vein
A pervading character or quality; a streak
"All through the interminable narrative there ran a vein of impressive earnestness" (Mark Twain).
Vein
A transient attitude or mood.
Vein
A particular turn of mind
Spoke later in a more serious vein.
Vein
To supply or fill with veins.
Vein
To mark or decorate with veins.
Vein
(anatomy) A blood vessel that transports blood from the capillaries back to the heart.
Vein
(in plural) The entrails of a shrimp.
Vein
(botany) In leaves, a thickened portion of the leaf containing the vascular bundle.
Vein
(zoology) The nervure of an insect’s wing.
Vein
A stripe or streak of a different colour or composition in materials such as wood, cheese, marble or other rocks.
Vein
(geology) A sheetlike body of crystallized minerals within a rock.
Vein
(figurative) A topic of discussion; a train of association, thoughts, emotions, etc.
In the same vein
Vein
(figurative) A style, tendency, or quality.
The play is in a satirical vein.
Vein
A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other substance.
Vein
To mark with veins or a vein-like pattern.
Vein
One of the vessels which carry blood, either venous or arterial, to the heart. See Artery, 2.
Vein
One of the similar branches of the framework of a leaf.
Vein
One of the ribs or nervures of the wings of insects. See Venation.
Vein
A narrow mass of rock intersecting other rocks, and filling inclined or vertical fissures not corresponding with the stratification; a lode; a dike; - often limited, in the language of miners, to a mineral vein or lode, that is, to a vein which contains useful minerals or ores.
Vein
A fissure, cleft, or cavity, as in the earth or other substance.
Let the glass of the prisms be free from veins.
Vein
A streak or wave of different color, appearing in wood, and in marble and other stones; variegation.
Vein
A train of associations, thoughts, emotions, or the like; a current; a course; as, reasoning in the same vein.
He can open a vein of true and noble thinking.
Vein
Peculiar temper or temperament; tendency or turn of mind; a particular disposition or cast of genius; humor; strain; quality; also, manner of speech or action; as, a rich vein of humor; a satirical vein.
Certain discoursing wits which are of the same veins.
Invoke the Muses, and improve my vein.
Vein
To form or mark with veins; to fill or cover with veins.
Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart; all veins except the pulmonary carry unaerated blood
Vein
A distinctive style or manner;
He continued in this vein for several minutes
Vein
Any of the vascular bundles or ribs that form the branching framework of conducting and supporting tissues in a leaf or other plant organ
Vein
A layer of ore between layers of rock
Vein
One of the horny ribs that stiffen and support the wing of an insect
Vein
Make a veinlike pattern
Vein
Can become varicose when dilated and twisted.
Standing for long periods can lead to varicose veins in the legs.
Vein
Visible under the skin, especially in the arms and legs.
His prominent vein was used to draw blood for the test.
Common Curiosities
Do veins carry oxygenated or deoxygenated blood?
Most veins carry deoxygenated blood, except for the pulmonary and umbilical veins.
Can venules become varicose like veins?
Venules are too small and do not typically become varicose.
How do venules contribute to homeostasis?
Venules help maintain homeostasis by regulating blood flow from capillaries.
Are the walls of veins thicker than those of venules?
Yes, veins have thicker walls than venules.
Are veins and venules part of the arterial system?
No, they are part of the venous system, not arterial.
What happens if venules are damaged?
Damage to venules can disrupt blood flow and nutrient exchange at the capillary level.
Where are venules located in the body?
Venules are located throughout the body, wherever capillaries are found.
What is a vein?
A vein is a blood vessel that returns blood to the heart.
What is a venule?
A venule is a small vessel that connects capillaries to a vein.
What's the function of valves in veins?
Valves prevent the backflow of blood in veins.
Are vein sizes the same throughout the body?
No, vein sizes vary significantly depending on their location and function.
Can you see venules like veins?
No, venules are not visible through the skin like some veins are.
Do diseases affect veins and venules differently?
Diseases can affect veins and venules differently, depending on the disease process.
What is venipuncture?
Venipuncture is the process of inserting a needle into a vein to withdraw blood or give treatments.
How are varicose veins treated?
Treatment for varicose veins can range from lifestyle changes to surgical procedures.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
