Right pulmonary artery

Right Pulmonary Artery

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The right pulmonary artery and its branches.

The Right Pulmonary Artery is a major vessel of the human cardiovascular system that transports deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. It is one of the two branches of the pulmonary trunk, the other being the left pulmonary artery.

Structure

The right pulmonary artery is larger in diameter but shorter in length than the left pulmonary artery. It extends from the pulmonary trunk, passing across the midline of the body to the right lung. It then divides into two branches, supplying the upper and lower lobes of the right lung.

Function

The primary function of the right pulmonary artery is to carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the right lung for oxygenation. This process is part of the larger pulmonary circulation, which is crucial for oxygenating the blood and removing carbon dioxide.

Clinical significance

Understanding the anatomy and function of the right pulmonary artery is crucial in several medical fields, including cardiology, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery. Conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and congenital heart disease can affect the right pulmonary artery.

See also

• Pulmonary circulation
• Pulmonary trunk
• Left pulmonary artery