What are the major blood vessels connected to the heart?

The major blood vessels connected to the heart are referred to as the great vessels. These include the aorta, the superior and inferior vena cavae, the pulmonary arteries, and the pulmonary veins. Each of these vessels plays a crucial role in the circulation of blood throughout the body. The aorta is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the entire body, while the vena cavae bring deoxygenated blood back to the heart. The pulmonary arteries transport deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, and the pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart.

While veins and arteries are indeed connected to the heart, and they do include the great vessels, the term "great vessels" specifically refers to those major structures that directly handle the major routes of blood flow in and out of the heart. Capillaries, on the other hand, are small blood vessels where exchange occurs but are not directly connected to the heart itself. Lastly, coronary vessels are specifically responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle but are not classified as the major vessels involved in general circulation. Thus, "great vessels" is the most accurate term to indicate the primary blood vessels connected directly to the heart.