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You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Valves in these veins allow blood to flow from the superficial veins to your deep veins, but not the other way. Blood from superficial veins is often directed into the deep veins through short veins called connecting veins. However, without a nearby muscle for compression, they tend to move blood more slowly than deep veins do. The tunica intima of a superficial vein can also have a one-way valve. These are located in the fatty layer under your skin. Nearby muscles also compress the deep vein to keep blood moving forward. The tunica intima of a deep vein usually has a one-way valve to prevent blood from flowing backward. These are found in muscles or along bones. Systemic veins are further classified as being either: The systemic circuit carries deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body back to your heart, where it then enters the pulmonary circuit for oxygen.
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All other veins carry only deoxygenated blood. They’re unique because they carry oxygenated blood. Once your lungs oxygenate the blood, the pulmonary circuit brings it back to your heart. The pulmonary circuit carries deoxygenated blood from your heart to your lungs. Veins are based on the circuit they’re found in: Your body circulates blood on two different tracks called the systemic circuit and the pulmonary circuit. Veins are often categorized based on their location and any unique features or functions.