What is a characteristic of all arteries (except pulmonary arteries)?

All arteries, with the exception of pulmonary arteries, carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. This function is crucial for supplying organs and cells with the oxygen necessary for metabolism and overall cellular function.

This characteristic applies to systemic arteries, which are responsible for distributing oxygenated blood throughout the body after it has been pumped from the left ventricle of the heart. In contrast, pulmonary arteries carry de-oxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. However, since the question specifically states "except pulmonary arteries," it confirms the role of all other arteries in transporting oxygen-rich blood.

The other options do not accurately describe the fundamental characteristics of arteries:

• Collecting blood from tissues is a primary function of veins, not arteries.
• Arteries generally have thick, muscular walls to withstand and regulate the high pressure of blood being pumped from the heart, rather than thin walls.
• While de-oxygenated blood does circulate, it occurs in veins and the pulmonary arteries, not in systemic arteries.

Thus, the defining characteristic that encompasses all arteries, aside from pulmonary arteries, is that they carry oxygen-rich blood.