During ventricular systole, which vessel receives the full force of blood ejected from the heart?

• A. The aorta
• B. The pulmonary artery
• C. The superior vena cava
• D. The inferior vena cava

Answer: (A)

During ventricular systole, blood is ejected into the heart’s outflow paths. The left ventricle sends blood into the aorta, which is the main conduit for distributing blood to the entire systemic circulation and bears the full stroke pressure from the heart. The aorta’s walls are built to handle this peak pressure and to pass the pulse along to elastic arteries. The superior and inferior venae cavae are veins that return blood to the right side of the heart, not outflow vessels. The pulmonary artery does receive blood from the right ventricle, but the question’s emphasis on the vessel that bears the full force of the heart’s ejection in the systemic circulation makes the aorta the best answer.