Which one among the following statements is correct?

In the human circulatory system, arteries are defined as blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart [1]. While systemic arteries transport oxygenated blood to various organs and tissues [3], the pulmonary artery is a unique exception. It carries deoxygenated (oxygen-poor) blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation [2]. Conversely, veins generally collect deoxygenated blood from the body and return it to the heart [3]. However, the pulmonary veins serve as an exception by carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the left atrium of the heart. Therefore, the statement that all arteries except the pulmonary artery carry oxygenated blood is correct. This distinction highlights the difference between the systemic and pulmonary circuits, where the roles of oxygenation in vessels are reversed.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > The tubes – blood vessels > p. 93
2. [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534812/
3. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Our pump — the heart > p. 92