What is the correct path of blood flow through the heart and lungs?

The correct answer outlines the proper sequence of blood flow through the heart and lungs, which is essential for understanding the cardiovascular system's function. Blood begins its journey in the right atrium, where it returns from the body through the superior and inferior vena cavae.

From the right atrium, blood flows into the right ventricle. Upon contraction, the right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood through the pulmonary artery to the lungs. In the lungs, blood will release carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen, becoming oxygenated.

Next, the now oxygen-rich blood returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins and enters the left atrium. From the left atrium, the blood moves into the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping the oxygenated blood into the aorta. The aorta then distributes this oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body, completing the circuit.

This sequence emphasizes the differences between the right and left sides of the heart, illustrating how the heart facilitates the pulmonary (lung) and systemic (body) circulations. Understanding this pathway is crucial for grasping the overall function of the cardiovascular system.