Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart via which vessels?

• A. Aorta
• B. Pulmonary veins
• C. Carotid arteries
• D. Venae cavae

Answer: (D)

Deoxygenated blood returns to the heart through veins, specifically the venae cavae. Blood from the body gathers in veins and is funneled into the superior vena cava from the upper body and the inferior vena cava from the lower body, both delivering into the right atrium. From there it moves to the right ventricle and then to the lungs for oxygenation. In contrast, arteries carry blood away from the heart and are typically oxygenated, the aorta being the main one. The pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart, and the carotid arteries are major arteries supplying the brain. So the vessels that bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart are the venae cavae.