Which one of the following statements is INCORRECT?

The statement about the blood vessel connecting the aorta to each kidney being the renal vein is incorrect because the renal vein actually carries blood away from the kidneys to the inferior vena cava, not towards the kidneys. The renal artery is the correct vessel that connects the aorta to the kidneys, delivering oxygenated blood so that the kidneys can filter it. This distinction is crucial in understanding the circulatory system's anatomy related to the kidneys.

To clarify the other statements: the renal artery indeed connects the aorta to each kidney, facilitating the supply of freshly oxygenated blood necessary for kidney function. The aorta does branch off into the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the head and neck. Lastly, the renal vein is accurately described as transporting deoxygenated blood from the kidneys back to the inferior vena cava, crucial for returning filtered blood to the systemic circulation. Understanding these vascular relationships is foundational in anatomy and medical sciences.