Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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What is the main role of the pulmonary vein?

  1. To carry deoxygenated blood

  2. To carry oxygenated blood to the heart

  3. To supply blood to the lungs

  4. To regulate blood pressure

The correct answer is: To carry oxygenated blood to the heart

The main role of the pulmonary vein is to carry oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs. After blood has undergone gas exchange in the lungs, where carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is absorbed, it enters the pulmonary veins. These vessels transport the freshly oxygenated blood directly to the left atrium of the heart. From there, this oxygen-rich blood is pumped into the left ventricle and then distributed throughout the body to supply tissues with the oxygen necessary for cellular respiration. Understanding the function of the pulmonary vein is crucial in grasping the overall circulatory system's dynamics and how the lungs interact with the heart to fulfill the body's oxygen demands.