Final answer:
The blood flows from the heart to the lungs for gas exchange and then returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins. From there, it is pumped into the aorta, which branches into the brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery, and left subclavian artery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The path of blood flow in the heart starts when oxygen-depleted blood is pumped by the right ventricle into the pulmonary trunk and then into the right and left pulmonary arteries. These arteries carry the blood to the lungs for gas exchange, after which oxygen-rich blood is transported by the pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
From there, the left ventricle pumps the blood into the aorta, which is divided into three main regions: the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending aorta.
The three branches located on top of the aorta, from left to right, are:
- Brachiocephalic trunk (also called innominate artery)
- Left common carotid artery
- Left subclavian artery