Which artery supplies blood to the upper extremities?

The subclavian artery is the primary artery responsible for supplying blood to the upper extremities, which includes the arms, shoulders, and hands. It branches off from the aorta (on the left side) and the brachiocephalic artery (on the right side) and continues into the arm as the axillary artery and then the brachial artery. These branches play a crucial role in delivering oxygenated blood to the muscles and tissues of the upper limbs necessary for movement and function.

In contrast to the subclavian artery, the radial artery mainly supplies blood to the forearm and hand but does not serve as the main source for the upper extremities as a whole. The femoral artery primarily supplies blood to the lower limbs, and the inferior vena cava does not supply blood; rather, it is responsible for returning deoxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart. Thus, the subclavian artery is the correct answer for blood supply to the upper extremities.