Major arteries carrying oxygenated blood to the head and neck are known as:

• A. Subclavian arteries
• B. Common carotid arteries
• C. External carotid arteries
• D. Internal jugular veins

Answer: (B)

Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to body tissues, and the main vessels that supply the head and neck are the common carotid arteries on each side. They run up the neck and divide into the internal carotid arteries, which go into the skull to feed the brain, and the external carotid arteries, which supply the face, scalp, and other neck structures. The subclavian arteries mainly supply the arms and give rise to vessels that support brain circulation but are not the primary channels to the head and neck. The external carotid arteries are branches of the common carotids and supply superficial areas, not the entire head and neck as a whole. The internal jugular veins are veins that drain blood from the head and neck, not arteries delivering oxygenated blood. Therefore, the major arteries carrying oxygenated blood to the head and neck are the common carotid arteries.