Which vessels carry blood away from the heart to the lungs?

Which vessels carry blood away from the heart to the lungs?

• A. Pulmonary arteries
• B. Pulmonary veins
• C. Aorta
• D. Vena cavae

Answer: (A)

Understanding the path of blood through the heart and lungs helps here. The heart sends blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. This vessel leaves the right ventricle and carries blood to the lungs for oxygenation. After gas exchange, the oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circulation. Pulmonary veins carry blood from the lungs back to the heart; the aorta carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body; the vena cavae bring blood back to the heart from the body. Therefore, the vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the lungs is the pulmonary artery.

Understanding the path of blood through the heart and lungs helps here. The heart sends blood to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. This vessel leaves the right ventricle and carries blood to the lungs for oxygenation. After gas exchange, the oxygenated blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circulation.

Pulmonary veins carry blood from the lungs back to the heart; the aorta carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body; the vena cavae bring blood back to the heart from the body. Therefore, the vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the lungs is the pulmonary artery.