pulmonary venule

A pulmonary venule is a small vein that drains oxygenated blood from the pulmonary capillary bed after gas exchange occurs in the alveoli.

Pulmonary venules are distributed throughout the lung tissue, accompanying the bronchioles and alveoli where oxygen uptake occurs.

Pulmonary venules collect oxygenated blood from the pulmonary capillary network and transport it toward the pulmonary veins for return to the left atrium of the heart.

Pulmonary venules originate from the pulmonary capillary plexus and merge to form progressively larger pulmonary veins that ultimately drain into the left atrium.

Pathology affecting pulmonary venules such as stenosis or thrombosis can impair oxygenated blood return to the heart and lead to pulmonary hypertension or systemic hypoxemia.