Which statement about venous valves is FALSE?

The assertion that venous valves allow flow only toward the heart is misleading because the primary function of these valves is indeed to prevent backflow, thereby facilitating unidirectional flow towards the heart. Venous valves play a critical role in the venous system, especially in the limbs, where they help maintain venous return against the force of gravity.

Valves are strategically located within veins to ensure that blood cannot flow backward, which determines that their primary role is to manage and direct blood flow in a way that promotes efficient return to the heart. In larger veins, while valves may be present, they are generally more abundant in smaller veins and those located further away from the heart, helping to assist in the effective return of blood. Thus, saying that they allow flow only toward the heart is an oversimplification and inaccurate, as valves do not actively allow flow; they merely prevent it from reversing direction.