Deoxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the lungs via the aorta.

Deoxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the lungs via the aorta.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood

Answer: (B)

Think of the two main circuits of circulation: pulmonary and systemic. Deoxygenated blood leaves the heart to go to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, moving from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange. After picking up oxygen, it returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, then moves into the left ventricle and is pumped out to the body through the aorta. So the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs is the pulmonary artery, not the aorta. The aorta, in contrast, carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.

Think of the two main circuits of circulation: pulmonary and systemic. Deoxygenated blood leaves the heart to go to the lungs through the pulmonary artery, moving from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange. After picking up oxygen, it returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, then moves into the left ventricle and is pumped out to the body through the aorta. So the vessel that carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs is the pulmonary artery, not the aorta. The aorta, in contrast, carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.