Which vessel is responsible for returning blood from the head and arms to the heart?

The superior vena cava is the major vessel tasked with returning deoxygenated blood from the upper body, specifically the head, neck, arms, and upper chest, back to the heart, particularly into the right atrium. This vessel plays a crucial role in the circulatory system by collecting blood from areas above the diaphragm, ensuring that the deoxygenated blood is efficiently sent back for reoxygenation in the lungs.

While the inferior vena cava also returns blood to the heart, it serves the lower body regions such as the legs, pelvis, and abdomen. The femoral vein is specifically associated with the leg and does not contribute to draining blood from the head and arms, nor does the jugular vein, which primarily drains blood from the head and neck but ultimately channels it into the superior vena cava. Thus, the superior vena cava is the correct choice for its broader function of returning blood from the upper body to the heart.