Which statement best describes arteries?

• A. All carry blood away from the heart.
• B. All carry blood toward the heart.
• C. They all have valves to prevent backflow.
• D. They have thicker lumens than veins.

Answer: (A)

Arteries carry blood away from the heart. This is true for the main arterial pathways: systemic arteries deliver blood from the heart to the body, and the pulmonary arteries carry blood from the heart to the lungs. Arterial walls are thick and muscular to withstand the high pressure generated by the heart and to help regulate blood flow, while the lumen is relatively narrow compared with the wall. Valves are not typical features inside arteries (they’re found in veins to prevent backflow). Veins have thinner walls and often larger lumens, so the statement about thicker lumens doesn’t fit arteries. Therefore, the best description is that arteries carry blood away from the heart.