# 44 The circulatory system - blood vessels
The mammalian circulatory system is a closed double circulation, consisting of a heart , blood vessels and blood . The heart produces high pressure --> blood moves through the vessels by mass flow. The mammalian circulatory system is closed: blood travels inside vessels double circulatory : pulmonary system: heart --> lungs --> heart systemic system : heart --> around the rest of body --> heart Blood vessels Arteries Carry blood away from the heart. Blood that flows through arteries is pulsing and at a high pressure . Have thick , elastic walls which can expand and recoil as the blood pulses through. The artery wall contains variable amounts of smooth muscle. This muscle does not help to push the blood through them. Arterioles Arteries branch into smaller vessels called arterioles. They contain smooth muscle in their walls, which can contract and