Trace the path of blood from the ascending aorta to the capillary beds of the thigh.

• A. Ascending aorta → renal arteries → femoral arteries
• B. Ascending aorta → abdominal aorta → common iliac arteries → external iliac arteries → femoral arteries → arterioles → capillaries in thigh
• C. Ascending aorta → aortic arch → thoracic aorta → abdominal aorta → common iliac arteries → external iliac arteries → femoral arteries → arterial branches → arterioles → capillaries in thigh
• D. Ascending aorta → carotid arteries → femoral artery

Answer: (C)

Understanding how the systemic circulation unfolds from the heart to a distal capillary bed helps you see why this path is correct. After leaving the heart through the ascending aorta, blood moves into the aortic arch and then the descending aorta (thoracic followed by abdominal). From the abdominal aorta, it flows into the common iliac arteries, then into the external iliac arteries as they enter the leg region, where they become the femoral arteries. The femoral arteries give off branches that turun into smaller arteries and arterioles, delivering blood to the capillary beds in the thigh tissues.

This route is necessary because it traces the major, organized segments of the aorta and its branches to reach the thigh. Skipping the arch and thoracic/abdominal portions would skip essential conduits to the lower body, and taking a path toward renal arteries or carotid arteries would deliver blood to the kidneys or brain instead of the thigh.