Distinguish between pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein?

1 Answer
May 20, 2017

Pulmonary arteries are one pair in number (branching out from pulmonary trunk) while pulmonary veins are two pair in number, one pair from each lung.

Explanation:

  • Pulmonary artery takes away blood from heart to lung of respective side. Pulmonary veins drain blood from lung (one pair from each side) to heart.

  • Blood in pulmonary artery is deoxygenated, blood in pulmonary vein is oxygenated.

  • Pulmonary artery carries blood from right ventricle of heart. Pulmonary vein carries blood towards left auricle of heart.

![https://useruploads.socratic.org/Pc2tqwBWSvOCRbcdusdK_pulmonary-circuit.jpeg)

  • Blood pressure within pulmonary artery is higher than that in pulmonary vein.
  • Wall of pulmonary artery is thick and elastic, wall of pulmonary vein is comparatively thinner.