Q. The only vein that carries oxygenated blood is:
a) Pulmonary vein
b) Cystic vein
c) Cardiac vein
d) Hepatic Portal vein
Question from UPPSC Prelims 2024
Correct Answer: a) Pulmonary vein
Explanation:
In the human circulatory system, veins typically carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart. However, the pulmonary vein is an exception to this rule.
The pulmonary vein carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart after the blood has been oxygenated in the lungs during gas exchange. This is a unique feature of the pulmonary vein, distinguishing it from other veins in the body.
– Cystic vein: Drains blood from the gallbladder and carries deoxygenated blood.
– Cardiac vein: Drains deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle into the coronary sinus.
– Hepatic portal vein: Carries nutrient-rich but deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver.
Thus, the pulmonary vein is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood.
