Into which structure does blood from the left ventricle flow?

• A. Aorta
• B. Pulmonary artery
• C. Left atrium
• D. Inferior vena cava

Answer: (A)

Blood leaving the left ventricle is pumped into the aorta, the body’s main artery. It passes through the aortic valve into the ascending aorta, then travels through the arch and descending portions to deliver oxygen-rich blood to all tissues via systemic arteries. The other vessels don’t carry blood from the left ventricle: the pulmonary artery takes blood from the right ventricle to the lungs; the left atrium receives blood from the lungs via the pulmonary veins; and the inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to the right atrium.