Which vessel carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart?

• A. Pulmonary Artery
• B. Aorta
• C. Superior Vena Cava
• D. Pulmonary Vein

Answer: (D)

The blood that has just picked up oxygen in the lungs returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins. After gas exchange in the lung capillaries, this oxygen-rich blood travels via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, ready to be pumped into the body. This is unique among veins, since most veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood. In contrast, the pulmonary artery carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen (and is deoxygenated on the way), the aorta carries oxygenated blood from the heart to the body, and the superior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the upper body to the heart.