Pulmonary Trunk or Main Pulmonary Artery starts at the base of Right Ventricle of the Human Heart. The artery is short and wide with 5 cm length and 3 cm diameter.  The main trunk divides into two branches which then supply deoxygenated blood to their respective Lungs. The walls of Pulmonary Artery contain a layer of smooth muscle to withstand the pressure from heart and push the blood ahead.

FUNCTION:

The main function of pulmonary Artery is the transportation of deoxygenated blood from Right Ventricle of the Heart to the Lungs. Blood then pass through the capillaries adjacent to Alveoli and become oxygenated as a part of respiration. In the contrast the Bronchial Arteries supply nutrients to lungs themselves.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The increase in blood pressure of Pulmonary Artery causes a condition named as Pulmonary Hypertension. The symptoms include fainting, dizziness and shortness of breath. Pulmonary Hypertension can lead to Heart Failure in Right Ventricle.

Pulmonary Artery Stenosis means narrowing of pulmonary arteries. The symptoms include.

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Swelling of feet, ankle, face or abdomen