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Pulmonary artery

Arteria pulmonalis

The only artery in the postnatal body that carries deoxygenated blood, the pulmonary artery conveys blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange. The pulmonary trunk leaves the right ventricle and bifurcates beneath the aortic arch into right and left pulmonary arteries; the right passes behind the ascending aorta to the right lung, and the left passes anterior to the descending aorta to the left lung. Obstruction of the artery or its branches by a blood clot produces pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal event. Pulmonary hypertension raises the workload of the right ventricle, and pulmonary artery catheterization with a Swan-Ganz catheter is used to monitor cardiac function.

The pulmonary trunk emerges from the right ventricle and bifurcates into right and left pulmonary arteries beneath the aortic arch. The right pulmonary artery passes behind the ascending aorta to the right lung. The left pulmonary artery passes anterior to the descending aorta to the left lung.

On this page
Tipe Vessel
Sistem Tubuh Cardiovascular
Wilayah Tubuh Heart Region
Struktur Induk artery
Nama Latin Arteria pulmonalis
FMA ID 66326

Fungsi

Carries deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange. The only artery in the postnatal body that carries deoxygenated blood.

Signifikansi Klinis

Pulmonary embolism is obstruction of the pulmonary artery or its branches by blood clots, potentially fatal. Pulmonary hypertension increases right ventricular workload. Pulmonary artery catheterization (Swan-Ganz) monitors cardiac function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the pulmonary artery unique among arteries in the body?

The pulmonary artery is the only artery in the postnatal body that carries deoxygenated blood. All other arteries carry oxygenated blood from the left heart to the body's tissues. The pulmonary artery carries venous blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary capillary beds of the lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen before the blood returns via the pulmonary veins to the left heart.

What is a pulmonary embolism and why can it be fatal?

A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a blood clot—most often originating in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis)—breaks free and lodges in the pulmonary artery or one of its branches, obstructing blood flow to part of the lung. A massive PE blocking the main pulmonary artery can cause acute right heart failure and circulatory collapse because the right ventricle cannot pump blood against the obstruction, leading to cardiac arrest.

What is pulmonary hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is elevated blood pressure within the pulmonary arterial system, defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceeding 25 mmHg at rest. It increases the workload on the right ventricle, eventually causing right ventricular hypertrophy and failure (cor pulmonale). Causes include left heart disease, lung disease, chronic thromboembolic disease, and idiopathic forms. Symptoms include progressive dyspnea, fatigue, and right heart failure signs.

What is a Swan-Ganz catheter and how is it related to the pulmonary artery?

A Swan-Ganz catheter (pulmonary artery catheter) is a specialized hemodynamic monitoring device introduced through a central vein and floated through the right heart into the pulmonary artery using an inflatable balloon at its tip. It measures pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (an indirect measure of left atrial pressure), and cardiac output, providing detailed information about heart function in critically ill patients.

How does the pulmonary artery develop from fetal to postnatal circulation?

In fetal life, the pulmonary artery is connected to the aorta via the ductus arteriosus, allowing most blood to bypass the non-functional lungs. At birth, the lungs inflate and pulmonary vascular resistance drops, prompting the ductus arteriosus to close (becoming the ligamentum arteriosum). Failure to close results in patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), causing left-to-right shunting and eventually pulmonary hypertension if untreated.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:66326 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0002012 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikidata — Q206280 Structured knowledge base cross-reference
  4. Wikipedia — Pulmonary artery Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

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Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.