Which structure carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs?

The pulmonary artery is the structure responsible for carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is released from the blood, and oxygen is absorbed, transforming the blood into oxygenated blood before it returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins. This process is essential for maintaining the oxygen levels in the bloodstream that the body requires for function.

In contrast, the pulmonary veins carry oxygenated blood back to the heart, the aorta distributes oxygenated blood throughout the body, and coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle itself. Each of these structures has distinct roles in the circulatory system, making the pulmonary artery the correct answer for transporting deoxygenated blood to the lungs.