Why Is Blood Drawn From Veins And Not From Arteries?

0:00 The misery of needles and blood tests 0:18 Why is blood drawn from veins, not arteries? 0:31 Arteries vs veins: function and blood type 0:42 Exception: pulmonary and umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood 1:03 Veins: deoxygenated blood, valves, less muscular walls 1:17 Phlebotomy: the blood-drawing procedure 1:19 Step 1: Identify the median cubital vein 1:30 Step 2: Gather supplies (needles, tourniquet, tubes) 1:44 Step 3: Tourniquet placement and fist formation 2:01 Step 4: Cleanse, anchor, and insert needle at 15-30° 2:20 Step 5: Collect blood, remove tourniquet, apply pressure 2:25 Venipuncture: the formal term 2:35 WHY veins? Reason 1: closer to the skin surface 2:43 Arteries are deeper — more painful to access 2:51 Reason 2: lower pressure = less bleeding after puncture 2:59 Don't worry — it's all for a good cause!