Pulmonary Trunk
The structure indicated is the
pulmonary trunk.
The pulmonary trunk is one of the
great vessels – a term which refers to the major arteries and veins which bring blood to and from the heart. These include:
- Superior and inferior vena cavae
- Pulmonary arteries
- Pulmonary veins
- Aorta
The pulmonary trunk carries
deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, via the right and left
pulmonary arteries. This is the only artery in the adult human body that carries deoxygenated blood. In fetal life, the
umbilical arteries also carry deoxygenated blood – this artery extends into the umbilical cord and to the placenta for oxygenation.
The pulmonary trunk bifurcates to form the left and the right pulmonary arteries. The right pulmonary artery passes underneath the arch of the aorta towards the right lung, and the left pulmonary artery extends to the left lung.
Learn more about the
great vessels in this tutorial
