Blood pressure is highest in the
- A. capillaries
- B. venules
- C. aorta
- D. venae cavae
Explanation
Pressure is greatest as blood leaves the left ventricle into the aorta and falls steadily along the circuit, with the sharpest drop across the arterioles and capillaries because of their resistance and their vast combined cross sectional area. By the time blood reaches the venae cavae the pressure is close to zero. This falling gradient is what keeps blood flowing in one direction.