Blood returns to the right atrium from the body via which vessels?

Blood returns to the right atrium from the body via which vessels?

• A. Superior vena cava
• B. Inferior vena cava
• C. Both superior and inferior vena cavae
• D. Pulmonary veins

Answer: (C)

Blood returning from the body (systemic venous return) enters the right atrium through the two main vessels that drain into it: the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. The superior vena cava collects blood from the head, neck, upper limbs, and chest, while the inferior vena cava collects blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower limbs. Both channels funnel this blood directly into the right atrium. In contrast, the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium, not to the right atrium, so they’re not involved in returning body blood to the right atrium.