Pulmonary Arteries - function and definition
What is Pulmonary Arteries, Definition and Function
Pulmonary Arteries - The large BLOOD vessels that carry blood from the HEART to the LUNGS. The main pulmonary ARTERY arises from the right ventricle and immediately branches into the right and left pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arteries are the only arteries in the body that transport deoxygenated blood. Like other arteries, however, the pulmonary arteries have sturdy, muscular walls that rhythmically contract in synchronization with the heartbeat. The pulmonary valve regulates the flow of blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery.
For further discussion of the pulmonary arteries within the context of cardiovascular structure and function please see the overview section “The Cardiovascular System.”
See also AORTA; VALVULAR HEART DISEASE.
