Which artery is the largest in the body and carries blood away from the heart?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to distribute it to the rest of the body. It arises from the left ventricle and branches out into smaller arteries that supply blood to various organs and tissues. The structure of the aorta allows it to handle high-pressure blood flow directly from the heart, making it essential for maintaining the body's circulation.

In contrast, the femoral artery is a major artery in the thigh, the carotid artery supplies blood to the head and neck, and the coronary arteries specifically nourish the heart muscle itself. While all these arteries play vital roles in the circulatory system, the aorta's position as the main artery that distributes blood throughout the entire body makes it uniquely significant.