What is the correct sequence of blood flow starting from body tissues?

The flow of blood starting from the body tissues follows a specific pathway through the heart and into the circulation. When blood leaves the tissues of the body, it is deoxygenated, having delivered oxygen and collected carbon dioxide. This deoxygenated blood returns to the heart via the superior and inferior vena cava, which empty into the right atrium.

From the right atrium, the blood moves to the right ventricle, which then pumps it through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs for oxygenation. After the blood is oxygen-rich, it returns to the left atrium from the lungs via the pulmonary veins. It is eventually pumped into the left ventricle and then distributed to the rest of the body through the aorta.

The correct answer captures this essential pathway of deoxygenated blood returning from the body tissues to the heart’s right atrium, highlighting the critical role of the vena cavae in this process. This understanding of the circulatory system is fundamental in anatomy and physiology, reflecting how blood circulates and is vital for maintaining the body’s oxygenation and nutrient delivery.