Which blood vessel carries oxygenated blood away from the heart?

The aorta is the primary artery that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. When the left ventricle of the heart contracts, it pumps oxygen-rich blood into the aorta, which then branches off into smaller arteries that deliver oxygen to various tissues and organs. This process is essential for providing the necessary oxygen for cellular metabolism and overall function.

In contrast, veins are responsible for returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart, while venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and also transport it back to veins. Capillaries play a crucial role in gas exchange, allowing oxygen to diffuse into tissues and carbon dioxide to enter the bloodstream, but they do not carry blood away from the heart. Therefore, among the options provided, the aorta is the correct answer, as it is the main vessel specifically designed for this purpose.