Pulmonary Circulation

Pulmonary Circulation: anatomy and functions

The pulmonary circulation is an important system of blood vessels that ensures gas exchange in the lungs. This system begins in the right ventricle of the heart and ends in the left atrium. Oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle enters the pulmonary artery, which goes to the lungs, where gas exchange occurs. The oxygenated blood then flows into the pulmonary veins and returns to the heart.

Anatomy of the pulmonary circulation

The pulmonary circulation consists of several main elements, including the right ventricle, pulmonary artery, capillaries in the lungs and pulmonary veins.

The right ventricle is the part of the heart that is responsible for pumping blood to the pulmonary artery. This part of the heart has thinner walls than the left ventricle, since it does not need to create as much pressure to drive blood throughout the body.

The pulmonary artery is the largest vessel arising from the right ventricle. It goes to the lungs and branches into small vessels that surround the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

Capillaries in the lungs are microscopic vessels that weave around the alveoli in the lungs. They provide gas exchange between the blood and air in the lungs.

The pulmonary veins are vessels that collect oxygenated blood from the capillaries in the lungs and return it to the left atrium of the heart.

Functions of the pulmonary circulation

The main function of the pulmonary circulation is to ensure gas exchange in the lungs. Oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle enters the pulmonary artery and is sent to the lungs, where capillaries intertwine the alveoli. During the process of gas exchange, carbon dioxide is removed from the blood and it is enriched with oxygen. The enriched blood then enters the pulmonary veins and returns to the left atrium.

The pulmonary circulation also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure. When blood passes through the pulmonary vessels, it experiences less resistance than when moving in the systemic circulation. This reduces pressure in the right ventricle of the heart and reduces the load on the heart muscle.

In conclusion, the pulmonary circulation is an important system of blood vessels that facilitates gas exchange in the lungs and regulates blood pressure. It begins in the right ventricle of the heart and ends in the left atrium, passing through the pulmonary artery, capillaries in the lungs and pulmonary veins. Good functioning of the pulmonary circulation is important for maintaining human health and preventing various diseases associated with the cardiovascular system.



The pulmonary circulation, or pulmonary circulation, is a system of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs and back to the left atrium. This circulatory system plays an important role in ensuring gas exchange and oxygenation of the blood.

The process begins with oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle of the heart entering the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery branches into many small vessels called arterioles, which then carry blood to capillary networks located in the lung tissue. Capillaries form a complex network that weaves around the alveoli of the lungs - small air sacs where the main gas exchange between blood and air occurs.

During the process of gas exchange, oxygen passes from the air into the blood, and carbon dioxide, formed as a result of metabolism, leaves the blood and enters the alveoli to be exhaled from the body. Thus, the blood is enriched with oxygen and carbon dioxide is removed. Oxygen-rich blood collects in the veins of the lungs and returns to the left atrium through the four pulmonary veins.

After completion of the pulmonary circulation, oxygenated blood leaves the left atrium and is sent to the systemic circulation, which circulates blood throughout the human body. In the systemic circulation, blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues of the body, and also removes waste metabolic products.

The Small Circulatory Circle plays an important role in maintaining the vital functions of the body, ensuring constant gas exchange and oxygenation of the blood. Without the proper functioning of the pulmonary circulation, the body will not be able to receive enough oxygen, which can lead to serious health problems.

In conclusion, the pulmonary circulation is an important component of the human circulatory system. It ensures gas exchange and oxygenation of the blood, allowing the body to receive the necessary oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. Understanding how this system works helps us understand the importance of healthy functioning of the pulmonary circulation and maintaining it in optimal condition for our common goodPulmonary Circulation

The Pulmonary Circulatory System, also known as the pulmonary circulation, is a system of blood vessels that plays an important role in gas exchange and oxygenation of the blood. It begins in the right ventricle of the heart and travels to the lungs, where the main process of gas exchange occurs, and then ends in the left atrium.

The process begins with oxygen-depleted blood from the right ventricle of the heart entering the pulmonary artery. The pulmonary artery is the only artery that carries oxygen-poor blood and sends it to the lungs. As blood passes through the pulmonary arteries, it splits into many small vessels called arterioles, which then carry the blood to capillary networks located in the lung tissue.

Capillaries are tiny blood vessels that form a complex network around the alveoli, the small air sacs in the lungs. Gas exchange between blood and air occurs in the alveoli. Oxygen present in the air passes from the alveoli into the blood, while carbon dioxide produced as a result of metabolism leaves the blood and is exhaled out. This process oxygenates the blood and simultaneously removes metabolic waste from the blood.

Oxygenated blood collects in the network of pulmonary veins and returns to the left atrium through the four pulmonary veins. It will then be pumped into the left ventricle of the heart and enter the systemic circulation, which circulates blood throughout the human body. In the systemic circulation, blood delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs and tissues of the body, and also removes waste metabolic products.

The Small Circulation is critical to maintaining normal body function. If the pulmonary circulation is disrupted, a number of serious diseases can occur, including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism and other pathologies associated with the respiratory system and heart.

In conclusion, the Lesser Circulatory Circle (pulmonary circulation) is an important component of the human circulatory system. It provides gas exchange and oxygenation of blood necessary to maintain the vital functions of organs.



Blood never returns to the heart from the lungs entirely, since part of it flows into the vessels of other organs and tissues.

The diameter of the pulmonary arteries is approximately 30-35 mm, the pulmonary veins - 20 mm. The thickness of the walls of the vessels of both of these circles is small, and the diameter of the lumen, on the contrary, is quite large. This significantly accelerates blood flow in these vessels. So, with a heart rate of 70 beats per minute, in the pulmonary artery the blood flow speed is about 400 l/min, i.e. 667 ml in 1s

Pulmonary arteries and arterioles are elastic muscle formations that can contract in response to changes in pressure or irritation from sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves

The pulmonary circulation is divided into a small one - in the lungs and a large one - throughout the body.