Pulmonary trunk

Pulmonary trunk (also known as the main pulmonary artery) is a major vessel of the human heart that originates from the right ventricle. It splits into two pulmonary arteries (left and right), which deliver deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Structure

The pulmonary trunk begins at the base of the right ventricle of the heart. It is short and wide - approximately 5 cm (2 inches) in length and 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter. Its direction is upwards and backwards, and it is located in the middle mediastinum. It ends at the level of the thoracic vertebra T4 or T5 by dividing into the two pulmonary arteries.

Function

The main function of the pulmonary trunk is to transport deoxygenated, or oxygen-poor, blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. Here, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood, and oxygen is added. The oxygenated blood then returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the pulmonary trunk can have serious health implications. These include pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and congenital heart disease.

See also

• Heart
• Pulmonary circulation
• Pulmonary artery
• Pulmonary vein

References

Pulmonary trunk Resources
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