Which type of blood vessels are responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart?

Arteries are the blood vessels responsible for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. They play a crucial role in the circulatory system by ensuring that oxygen-rich blood reaches various tissues and organs where it is needed for cellular processes. The thick muscular walls of arteries facilitate the flow of blood under high pressure, which is generated by the heart's contractions. This structural adaptation is essential for maintaining an efficient circulation of oxygenated blood throughout the body.

The other options are related to different functions within the circulatory system. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, capillaries are small vessels where the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste occurs between blood and tissues, and auricles are parts of the heart that help receive blood, but none of these are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood from the heart.