ATI Pathophysiology Practice Exam

Which blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart?

1. Coronary arteries

2. Pulmonary veins

3. Superior and inferior vena cavae

4. Aorta

The correct answer is: Superior and inferior vena cavae

The blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood to the right atrium of the heart are the superior and inferior vena cavae. The superior vena cava collects blood from the upper parts of the body, such as the head and arms, while the inferior vena cava gathers blood from the lower parts, including the legs and abdomen. Both of these large veins empty directly into the right atrium, making them critical for the return of deoxygenated blood to the heart. The coronary arteries are responsible for supplying oxygenated blood to the heart muscle itself, while the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium, reflecting their role in the oxygenation process rather than deoxygenation. Meanwhile, the aorta is the largest artery, distributing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body, which contradicts the need for deoxygenated blood return to the heart. Thus, the superior and inferior vena cavae are the correct vessels for transporting deoxygenated blood back to the right atrium.