View source for Pulmonary artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = Pulmonary artery |
  Latin       = truncus pulmonalis, arteria pulmonalis |
  GraySubject = 141 |
  GrayPage    = 543 |
  Imagemap    = {{Heart diagram 250px}} |
  Caption     = Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow. (Pulmonary artery labeled at upper right.) |
  Image2      = Alveoli diagram.png |
  Caption2    = Diagram of the alveoli with both cross-section and external view. |
  BranchFrom  = [[right ventricle]] |
  BranchTo    = |
  Vein        = [[pulmonary vein]] |
  Precursor   = [[truncus arteriosus (embryology)|truncus arteriosus]] | 
  Supplies    = |
  MeshName    = Pulmonary+Artery |
  MeshNumber  = A07.231.114.715 |
  DorlandsPre = t_20 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12826098  |
}}


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The '''pulmonary arteries''' carry [[blood]] from the [[heart]] to the [[lungs]]. They are the only [[artery|arteries]] (other than [[Umbilical artery|umbilical arteries]] in the fetus) that carry deoxygenated blood.

In the human [[heart]], the '''pulmonary trunk''' ('''pulmonary artery''' or '''main pulmonary artery''') begins at the base of the [[right ventricle]]. It is short and wide - approximately 5 cm (2 inches) in length and 3 cm (1.2 inches) in diameter. It then branches into two pulmonary arteries (left and right), which deliver deoxygenated blood to the corresponding [[lung]].

== Role in disease ==
[[Pulmonary hypertension]] occurs alone and as a consequence of a number of [[pulmonology|lung diseases]]. It can be a consequence of [[heart disease]] ([[Eisenmenger's syndrome]]) but equally a cause (right-ventricular [[heart failure]]); it also occurs as a consequence of [[pulmonary embolism]] and [[scleroderma]]. It is characterised by reduced exercise tolerance. Severe forms, generally, have a dismal prognosis.

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Bronchial anatomy.jpg|Bronchial anatomy
 Image:Illu bronchi lungs.jpg|Bronchi, bronchial tree, and lungs
 Image:Illu pulmonary circuit.jpg|Pulmonary circuit
 Image:Lungs anatomy.png|Anatomy of lungs.
 Image:Gray490.png|Front view of heart and lungs.
 Image:Gray503.png|Transverse section of thorax, showing relations of pulmonary artery.
 Image:Gray556.png|Base and diaphragmatic surface of heart.
 Image:Gray1032.png|The position and relation of the esophagus in the cervical region and in the posterior mediastinum. Seen from behind.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Chronic obstructive lung disease]]
* [[Pulmonary hypertension]]
* [[Thromboembolic disease]]
* [[Pulmonary circulation]]
* [[Rasmussen's aneurysm]]

==External links==
* {{GPnotebook|53805116}}
* {{eMedicineDictionary|pulmonary+trunk}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|20|01|01|06}} - "Heart: The [[Pericardial sac]] and [[Great vessels]]"
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|20|07|01|05}} - "Heart: Openings of Great Vessels into the Pericardial Sac"
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|19|05|06}} - "[[Mediastinal]] surface of the [[right lung]]."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|19|06|02}} - "Mediastinal surface of the [[left lung]]."
* {{BUHistology|13802loa}}

{{cardiovascular_system}}
{{Arteries of chest}}
{{SIB}}

[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Thorax]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]

[[ar:الشريان الرئوي]]
[[es:Arteria pulmonar]]
[[fr:Artère pulmonaire]]
[[gl:Arteria pulmonar]]
[[it:Arteria polmonare]]
[[nl:Longslagader]]
[[ja:肺動脈]]
[[nn:Lungepulsåre]]
[[pl:Pień płucny]]
[[pt:Artéria pulmonar]]
[[ru:Лёгочная артерия]]
[[simple:Pulmonary artery]]
[[sr:Плућно артеријско стабло]]

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