Which vessels empty into the right atrium?

Which vessels empty into the right atrium?

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

Answer: (A)

The right atrium collects all the venous return from the body and the heart itself. The superior vena cava brings blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs; the inferior vena cava brings blood from the trunk and lower limbs; and the coronary sinus drains venous blood from the heart muscle via the cardiac veins. None of the other vessels empty into the right atrium: the aorta carries blood away from the heart to the body, the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the left atrium, and the pulmonary trunk carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.

The right atrium collects all the venous return from the body and the heart itself. The superior vena cava brings blood from the head, neck, and upper limbs; the inferior vena cava brings blood from the trunk and lower limbs; and the coronary sinus drains venous blood from the heart muscle via the cardiac veins. None of the other vessels empty into the right atrium: the aorta carries blood away from the heart to the body, the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood to the left atrium, and the pulmonary trunk carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs.