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Difficulty: HardHuman Anatomy and Body Systems

During physiological stress, blood flow is precisely regulated through pulmonary and systemic circuits. Which of the following blood vessels carries deoxygenated blood under relatively high hydrostatic pressure away from the heart toward the respiratory exchange surfaces?

  1. A
    Aorta
  2. B
    Pulmonary vein
  3. Pulmonary arteryAnswer
  4. D
    Inferior vena cava

Answer

The pulmonary artery is the vessel that transports deoxygenated blood under high hydrostatic pressure away from the heart to the lungs.
The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood ejected directly from the right ventricle under high ventricular pressure away from the heart into the pulmonary microvasculature for gas exchange.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the directional definition of blood vessels
Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood toward the heart.
Vessel classification is determined strictly by the direction of blood flow relative to the heart chambers, not oxygen saturation.
2
Evaluate pressure dynamics generated by ventricular ejection
Blood leaving the ventricles enters arterial trunks under high systolic pressure.
Arteries must withstand and propagate high hydrostatic pressure produced by myocardial contractions.
3
Identify the specific gas exchange pathway and oxygenation status
The pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries transport oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle to the alveolar capillaries.
In the pulmonary circuit, the functional roles regarding oxygen content are reversed compared to systemic circulation.

Key Concept

Cardiovascular hemodynamics and the anatomical exceptions of the pulmonary circulation
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Human Anatomy and Body Systems

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