After blood leaves the capillaries, it enters the:

• A. arterioles
• B. veins
• C. venules
• D. arteries

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the flow of blood through the circulatory system: Blood flows in a specific order through different types of blood vessels. It starts in the arteries, moves to arterioles, then to capillaries, and finally exits the capillaries to continue its journey.
2. Recall the function of capillaries: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels where the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs between blood and tissues.
3. Identify the next vessel type after capillaries: After blood has passed through the capillaries, it needs to return to the heart. The next vessels in the sequence are venules, which are small veins that collect blood from the capillaries.
4. Differentiate between venules and other vessel types: Venules are distinct from arterioles (which carry blood to capillaries) and veins (which are larger vessels that carry blood back to the heart).
5. Conclude that blood leaving the capillaries enters the venules, as they are the immediate vessels that collect blood from the capillary network.