Pulmonary artery

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Artery: Pulmonary artery
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Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow. (Pulmonary artery labeled at upper right.)
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Latin	truncus pulmonalis, arteria pulmonalis
Gray's	subject #141 543
Supplies
From	right ventricle
To
Vein	{{{Vein}}}
MeSH	A07.231.114.715
Dorlands/Elsevier	t_20/12826098

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. It is one of the only arteries (other than the umbilical arteries in the fetus) that carry deoxygenated blood.

Structure

In the human heart, the pulmonary trunk ('pulmonary artery or main pulmonary artery) begins at the base of the right ventricle. It is short and wide—approximately Template:Convert/cmTemplate:Convert/test/A in length and Template:Convert/cmTemplate:Convert/test/A in diameter. It then branches into two pulmonary arteries (left and right), which deliver deoxygenated blood to the corresponding lung. ^{[citation needed]}

Embryology

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Function

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. The blood here passes through capillaries adjacent to alveoli and becomes oxygenated as part of the process of respiration. ^{[citation needed]}

In contrast to the pulmonary arteries, the bronchial arteries supply nutrition to the lungs themselves. ^{[citation needed]}

Pulmonary artery pressure

The pulmonary artery pressure is a measure of the blood pressure found in the pulmonary artery. This is measured by inserting a catheter into the pulmonary artery. The mean pressure is typically 9 - 18 mmHg., and the wedge pressure measured in the left atrium may be 6-12mmHg. The wedge pressure may be elevated in left heart failure and other conditions, such as sickle cell disease.

Clinical significance

The pulmonary artery is relevant in a number of clinical states. Pulmonary hypertension is used to describe an increase in the pressure of the pulmonary artery, and may be defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure of greater than 25mmHg. This may occur as a result of heart problems such as heart failure, lung or airway disease such as COPD or scleroderma, or thromboembolic disease such as pulmonary embolism or emboli seen in sickle cell anaemia.

Pulmonary embolism refers to an emboli that lodges in the pulmonary circulation. This may arise from a deep venous thrombosis, especially after a period of immobility. A pulmonary embolus is a common cause of death in patients with cancer and stroke. A large pulmonary embolus affecting the pulmonary trunk is called a saddle embolus. ^{[citation needed]}

Additional images

Relations of the aorta, trachea, esophagus and other heart structures.png

Image showing main pulmonary artery coursing ventrally to the aortic root and trachea, and the right pulmonary artery passes dorsally to the ascending aorta, while the left pulmonary artery passes ventrally to the descending aorta.

Bronchi, bronchial tree, and lungs

Illu pulmonary circuit.jpg

Pulmonary circuit

Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.

The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.Crystal.

Dissection images
Thoracic cavity of foetus - great vessels 2.JPG Fetal pulmonary artery Pulmonary artery.jpg Pulmonary artery Slide7gggg.JPG Pulmonary trunk Slide6xxxx.JPG Pulmonary artery Slide2vvvv.JPG Pulmonary artery Slide4wwww.JPG Pulmonary trunk Slide13111.JPG Pulmonary artery Slide16444.JPG Pulmonary artery

See also

• Chronic obstructive lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Thromboembolic disease
• Pulmonary circulation
• Rasmussen's aneurysm

External links

• GPnotebook 53805116
• Dictionary at eMedicine pulmonary+trunk
• SUNY Labs 20:01-0106 - "Heart: The Pericardial sac and Great vessels"
• SUNY Labs 20:07-0105 - "Heart: Openings of Great Vessels into the Pericardial Sac"
• SUNY Figs 19:05-06 - "Mediastinal surface of the right lung."
• SUNY Figs 19:06-02 - "Mediastinal surface of the left lung."
• Histology at Boston University 13802loa

References

Template:Arteries of chest