- Pulmonary vein
Infobox Vein
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = venae pulmonales
GraySubject = 165
GrayPage = 642 | Image
Heart diagram 250px
Caption = Anterior (frontal) view of the opened heart. White arrows indicate normal blood flow.
Caption2 = Diagram of the alveoli with both cross-section and external view.
DrainsFrom =lungs
Source =
DrainsTo =left atrium
Artery =pulmonary artery
Precursor = truncus arteriosus | MeshName = Pulmonary+Veins
MeshNumber = A07.231.908.713
DorlandsPre = v_05
DorlandsSuf = 12851530
The four pulmonary veins carryoxygen -richblood from thelung s to the left atrium of theheart . They are the onlyvein s in the post-fetal human body that carry oxygenated (red) blood.Types
They are four in number, two from each lung, and are destitute of
valves . They are* right inferior
* right superior
* left inferior
* left superiorPath
They commence in a
capillary net-work upon the walls of theair sacs , where they are continuous with the capillary ramifications of thepulmonary artery , and, joining together, form one vessel for eachlobule .These vessels uniting successively, form a single trunk for each lobe, three for the right, and two for the left lung.
The vein from the middle lobe of the right lung generally unites with that from the upper lobe, so that ultimately two trunks from each lung are formed; they perforate the fibrous layer of the
pericardium and open separately into the upper and back part of theleft atrium .Occasionally the three veins on the right side remain separate, and not infrequently the two left pulmonary veins end by a common opening into the left atrium. Following from this, it's true that the number of pulmonary veins opening into the left atrium can vary between three and five in the healthy population.
At the root of the lung, the superior pulmonary vein lies in front of and a little below the pulmonary artery; the inferior is situated at the lowest part of the
hilus of the lung and on a plane posterior to the upper vein. Behind the pulmonary artery is thebronchus .Within the
pericardium , their anterior surfaces are invested by the serous layer of this membrane.The right pulmonary veins pass behind the
right atrium andsuperior vena cava ; the left in front of the descendingthoracic aorta .
=AdditionalExternal links
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* [http://www.infomat.net/infomat/focus/health/health_curriculum/images/heart.gifIllustration at infomat.net]
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