Pulmonary Artery: Anatomy and Function in Deoxygenated Blood Transport

The pulmonary artery (trunk and left/right branches) is the only artery that carries deoxygenated blood. It originates from the right ventricle and delivers blood to the pulmonary capillaries for gas exchange. After oxygenation, blood travels via pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

This unique role makes the pulmonary artery critical in conditions like pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, and congenital heart defects (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries).