What type of muscle lines blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart?

The type of muscle that lines blood vessels carrying blood away from the heart is smooth muscle. Smooth muscle tissue is involuntary, meaning it operates without conscious control, which is essential for the regulation of blood flow and blood pressure within the cardiovascular system. This muscle type allows blood vessels to constrict or dilate, thus adjusting the flow of blood as needed during various physiological conditions or in response to stimuli.

Skeletal muscle, while striated, is associated with voluntary movement and is not found in vascular tissues. Cardiac muscle, also striated, is specialized for the heart itself and works involuntarily but is not found in the blood vessels. The term striated refers specifically to the appearance of certain muscle types, including skeletal and cardiac muscles, and does not apply to the smooth muscle found in the walls of blood vessels. Therefore, smooth muscle is the correct answer as it specifically lines the blood vessels and is crucial for their function.