Science, Tech, Math › Science Vein Function Share Flipboard Email Print Normal Vein. Image Credit: NIH Science Biology Basics Cell Biology Genetics Organisms Anatomy Physiology Botany Ecology Chemistry Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Regina Bailey Regina Bailey Biology Expert B.A., Biology, Emory University A.S., Nursing, Chattahoochee Technical College Regina Bailey is a board-certified registered nurse, science writer and educator. Her work has been featured in "Kaplan AP Biology" and "The Internet for Cellular and Molecular Biologists." Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 20, 2017 A vein is an elastic blood vessel that transports blood from various regions of the body to the heart. Veins can be categorized into four main types: pulmonary, systemic, superficial, and deep veins. Pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart. Systemic veins return deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body to the heart. Superficial veins are located close to the surface of the skin and are not located near a corresponding artery. Deep veins are located deep within muscle tissue and are typically located near a corresponding artery with the same name. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Bailey, Regina. "Vein Function." ThoughtCo, Jul. 31, 2021, thoughtco.com/vein-function-3975679. Bailey, Regina. (2021, July 31). Vein Function. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/vein-function-3975679 Bailey, Regina. "Vein Function." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/vein-function-3975679 (accessed March 26, 2023). copy citation