AAMC FL Practice Exam

The pulmonary artery is the vessel responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for the purpose of oxygenation. This process is essential in pulmonary circulation, where blood is sent to the lungs to release carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen.

When blood returns to the heart from the body, it enters the right atrium, then moves to the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps this deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary artery, which branches into left and right pulmonary arteries directing blood to each lung. Once in the lungs, the blood undergoes gas exchange in the alveoli, where it absorbs oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.

Other vessels mentioned play different roles: the pulmonary valve regulates blood flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery but does not transport blood itself, the aorta carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body, and the superior vena cava brings deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body back to the heart. Thus, the pulmonary artery is specifically tasked with conveying deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation, making it the correct answer.