What type of blood do the umbilical arteries carry?

The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood away from the fetus to the placenta. In the circulatory system of a fetus, oxygen and nutrients are supplied by the mother through the placenta. The umbilical arteries are responsible for transporting waste products and carbon dioxide, which are byproducts of fetal metabolism, back to the placenta for disposal. This is in contrast to the umbilical veins, which carry oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus. Thus, it is crucial to understand the distinct roles of the umbilical arteries and veins in the fetal circulatory system, highlighting why deoxygenated blood is specifically carried by the umbilical arteries.