The great vessels include which pair of vessels?

The great vessels include which pair of vessels?

• A. aorta, superior vena cava
• B. pulmonary artery, inferior vena cava
• C. aorta, pulmonary veins
• D. coronary arteries, aorta

Answer: (A)

Great vessels are the large vessels directly connected to the heart that carry blood into or out of it. The aorta is the main arterial outflow from the left ventricle to the systemic circulation, while the superior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs into the right atrium. These two vessels exemplify the major conduits linked to the heart, which is why they’re the standard pair used to define the great vessels. Other options mix vessels that, although large, aren’t the classic pairing highlighted in basic anatomy as the primary great vessels.