The pulmonary artery is one of the most important arteries of the human body. It plays a major role in delivering oxygen to the blood and getting rid of carbon dioxide. Given its great importance, we had to shed light on it and explain to you the role of the pulmonary artery, its function, and the health conditions that may affect it and cause serious complications, so follow this article with us. And know all the details.

What is the pulmonary artery?

Pulmonary arteries – pulmonary arteries are the arteries that transfer blood from the heart to the lungs, and that’s why the word pulmonary came to mean that it affects the lung.

Formation of the pulmonary artery

This artery is considered an essential part of the pulmonary circulation in the body, and in terms of composition, the pulmonary arteries consist of 3 layers, they are:

• The inner layerIt is known as the endothelium and is a soft layer.
• Middle classwhich is the layer that drives blood.
• outer layerwhich is the protective layer.

functions of the pulmonary artery

The pulmonary arteries in the human body have a major role and functions in the blood circulation, as they work with parts of the heart to circulate blood through the lung, This will be as follows:

• Right ventricle of the heartThe lower right ventricle of the heart sends deoxygenated blood to the main pulmonary artery, or what is known as the pulmonary trunk.
• pulmonary valveIt is the part that opens and closes in order to secure the flow of blood forward and act as gates for it, as it opens to allow non-oxygenated blood to flow from the heart to the pulmonary arteries and from there to the lungs in order to obtain oxygen. When closed, this valve prevents blood from flowing back into the heart.
• pulmonary arteriesThe main pulmonary artery divides into two branches after it exits the right ventricle of the heart, as its right branch goes to the right lung, and its left branch to the left lung. The pulmonary arteries then divide from this point into many smaller blood vessels, eventually reaching the capillaries that surround the alveoli.
• pulmonary veinsThese veins work opposite to the pulmonary arteries, where they collect oxygenated blood and carry it from the lung to the heart, and each lung in the body has two pulmonary veins that transfer blood to the upper left chamber of the heart or the atrium.
• left atriumThis part is responsible for sending oxygenated blood to the left lower ventricle of the heart.
• left ventricleThe lower left ventricle of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body.
• systemic veins;After pumping blood into the body and delivering oxygen, these veins collect blood again in order to return it to the right part of the heart to start a new cycle.

Conditions affecting the pulmonary artery

There are some problems and disorders that affect the pulmonary arteries, the most common of which are congenital heart defects, the most famous of which are:

pulmonary stenosis

This condition expresses a narrowing of the branches of the pulmonary arteries, which is why it is difficult for blood to travel from the heart to the lung to obtain oxygen.

Pulmonary valve stenosis

This condition is a congenital malformation, which results in a greater hardness and thickness of the pulmonary valve, and this causes a double effort for the heart to transmit blood through the pulmonary valve, and this may cause an enlarged heart.

Pulmonary hypertension

This condition affects the lung negatively, and is a result of the condensation of the arteries in the lung area, and therefore the process of blood flow through the pulmonary arteries is slow.

Pulmonary valve regurgitation

This condition expresses leaks of the heart valves, as blood flows backwards from the pulmonary arteries of the lower right ventricle of the heart, and this condition may cause enlargement or failure of the heart.

pulmonary embolism;

This condition is serious and may threaten life, and it is a blood clot in the lung, which may result from the explosion of a blood clot in another area of ​​the body, such as leg or arm clots, so it travels to the lung and settles in the pulmonary artery or pulmonary vein, and thus a blockage occurs in the pulmonary artery.

Aneurysm

This condition is an aneurysm of the pulmonary arteries, and it may cause weakness in the wall of the pulmonary artery. This weakened area may sometimes enlarge and become life-threatening, especially if it ruptures.

How to maintain the health of the pulmonary artery?

As we have explained, most of the problems of the pulmonary arteries are caused by congenital problems, i.e. the child is born with them, and you may not be able to prevent and stop these problems, but in general there are some steps that may enhance the health of these arteries and the health of the heart as well, including:

• Relying on heart-friendly diets and including fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• It is better to do some exercises and physical activities periodically, at least 2.5 hours during the week.
• Follow-up and control chronic health problems and diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high harmful cholesterol in the blood.
• Avoid and quit smoking.