Which artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs?

The pulmonary artery is the vessel responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. In the circulatory system, after the right ventricle of the heart pumps blood, it moves through the pulmonary artery where it travels to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen; this is where the blood becomes oxygenated before returning to the heart.

This pathway is distinct from other arteries. For instance, the aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood specifically to the heart muscle itself. Additionally, the femoral artery carries oxygenated blood to the thigh and leg. Understanding the specific roles of these arteries is essential in grasping the overall function of the circulatory system and how it supports respiration and nutrient delivery throughout the body.