Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Which vein is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood?

1. Superior vena cava

2. Pulmonary vein

3. Jugular vein

4. Aorta

The correct answer is: Pulmonary vein

The pulmonary vein is the vessel responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart. After the lungs perform gas exchange, oxygen-rich blood is collected by the pulmonary veins, which transport it to the left atrium of the heart. This is distinct from other veins in the body, as the majority of veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The pulmonary vein is unique in that it is one of the rare exceptions where veins transport oxygenated blood. In contrast, the superior vena cava and the jugular vein are involved in transporting deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The superior vena cava collects blood from the upper body, while the jugular vein specifically drains blood from the head and neck. Meanwhile, the aorta is not a vein but an artery that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to supply the body. Therefore, the pulmonary vein's role in carrying oxygenated blood distinguishes it as the correct choice.