Which vessels bring deoxygenated blood from the body back to the right atrium?

• A. Superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, coronary sinus
• B. Pulmonary arteries
• C. Pulmonary veins
• D. Aorta

Answer: (A)

The right atrium receives all deoxygenated blood returning from the body through the major systemic veins: the superior vena cava draining the head, neck, and upper limbs; the inferior vena cava bringing blood from the trunk and lower limbs; and the coronary sinus collecting blood from the heart muscle itself. These vessels specifically carry blood back to the heart, preparing it to be sent to the lungs for oxygenation. In contrast, the pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood away from the right ventricle to the lungs, the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium, and the aorta distributes oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body. So the vessels that bring deoxygenated blood from the body back to the right atrium are the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and coronary sinus.