Which blood vessel delivers oxygenated blood around the body?

• A. Aorta
• B. Pulmonary artery
• C. Superior vena cava
• D. Pulmonary vein

Answer: (A)

Oxygenated blood is carried from the heart to the rest of the body by the main artery of the systemic circulation. After leaving the left ventricle, the blood enters the aorta, which branches into arteries that reach every tissue, delivering oxygen and nutrients needed for metabolism and healing. The other vessels have different roles: the pulmonary artery carries blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen but is deoxygenated on its way; the pulmonary vein returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart; and the superior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the upper body back to the heart. So, the vessel that delivers oxygenated blood around the body is the aorta.