In the circulatory system, which vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?

In the circulatory system, which vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?

• A. Vena cava
• B. Pulmonary artery
• C. Aorta
• D. Pulmonary vein

Answer: (C)

Oxygenated blood leaves the heart through the aorta, the main artery of systemic circulation, delivering rich blood to the body's tissues. After oxygen is used by tissues, blood becomes deoxygenated and returns to the heart via veins, entering the right atrium through the vena cava. The pulmonary artery, though it carries blood away from the heart, transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart, but into the heart rather than away from it. Therefore, the vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart is the aorta.

Oxygenated blood leaves the heart through the aorta, the main artery of systemic circulation, delivering rich blood to the body's tissues. After oxygen is used by tissues, blood becomes deoxygenated and returns to the heart via veins, entering the right atrium through the vena cava. The pulmonary artery, though it carries blood away from the heart, transports deoxygenated blood to the lungs. The pulmonary veins bring oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart, but into the heart rather than away from it. Therefore, the vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart is the aorta.