The arteries (red) transport oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the tissues of your body. The veins (blue) are responsible for returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. The aorta, the major artery leaving the heart, is where arteries begin. The pulmonary artery is responsible for transporting blood out from the heart (it is the only artery which carries dexygenated blood) The pulmonary vein transports blood from the lungs to the heart (it is only vein which carries oxygenated blood)