American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnician Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is not true regarding arteries?

1. Arteries carry oxygenated blood

2. Arteries have a pulse

3. Arteries have thicker walls than veins

4. Arteries are smaller than veins

The correct answer is: Arteries are smaller than veins

Arteries are indeed known for carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart to various parts of the body, with the exception of the pulmonary and umbilical arteries. This characteristic is fundamental to understanding the function of the circulatory system. The presence of a pulse is a critical feature of arteries, which reflects the pressure exerted by the heartbeat as blood is pumped through the arterial system. This pulsation can be felt in various locations throughout the body and serves as an important indicator of cardiovascular health. Moreover, arteries possess thicker and more muscular walls compared to veins. This structural adaptation is essential as arteries need to withstand the higher pressure of blood that is pumped directly from the heart. The elasticity and strength of arterial walls enable them to maintain blood pressure and control blood flow. In contrast, while arteries can have a range of sizes—from those that are large and close to the heart, to smaller arterioles—veins generally have a larger diameter. Therefore, stating that arteries are smaller than veins is inaccurate, as it lacks the context of the entire circulatory system where arteries are often thicker and comparatively narrower than corresponding veins, particularly at larger sizes.