Pulmonary circulation

Pulmonary circulation is the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries deoxygenated blood away from the heart, to the lungs, and returns oxygenated (oxygen-rich) blood back to the heart. The term pulmonary refers to the lungs.

Anatomy

Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood from the heart, through the lungs, and back to the heart again. This circulation is very important as it is responsible for the oxygenation of blood. Deoxygenated blood from the heart is pumped through the pulmonary artery and into the lungs. Here, oxygen is added to the blood and carbon dioxide is removed, in a process known as gas exchange. The oxygenated blood then travels back to the heart via the pulmonary veins.

Function

The primary function of pulmonary circulation is the oxygenation of blood and the removal of carbon dioxide. This is crucial for the body's metabolic processes. Without this system, the body's tissues and organs would not receive the oxygen they need to function, and waste products would not be properly removed.

Clinical significance

Disorders of the pulmonary circulation can lead to health problems such as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary edema. These conditions can be life-threatening and require medical intervention.

See also

• Systemic circulation
• Heart
• Lung
• Blood vessel

References

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  Diagram of the pulmonary circuit

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  3D CT scan of the thorax with annotations

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

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  Pulmonary circulation