Small vessels that connect capillaries to veins are called what?

The correct answer is venules, as they are the small vessels that connect capillaries to veins. Venules collect deoxygenated blood from capillaries and transport it to larger veins, ultimately directing the blood back to the heart. This structure is crucial in the circulatory system for maintaining blood flow and ensuring efficient oxygen delivery and waste removal at the tissue level.

In contrast, arterioles are small branches of arteries that lead to capillaries, playing a vital role in regulating blood flow and pressure within the arterial system. Capillaries themselves are the smallest blood vessels, where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues. Veins are larger blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart but do not directly connect to capillaries. Understanding the specific functions and connections of these vessels is essential for comprehending the overall dynamics of the circulatory system.