Which statement about arteries is incorrect?

The statement regarding arteries having valves is incorrect because arteries do not contain valves. Their primary function is to transport oxygenated blood away from the heart (with the exception of the pulmonary artery, which carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs). To effectively perform this function, arteries have thick walls composed of smooth muscle and elastic tissue, allowing them to withstand and regulate high blood pressure generated by the heart's pumping action.

In contrast, veins, which carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, are the blood vessels that typically contain valves to prevent backflow, ensuring that blood returns to the heart efficiently against gravity. This distinction between arteries and veins highlights the unique structural and functional adaptations of each vessel type in the circulatory system.