Pulmonary Circulation: Gas Exchange vs. Systemic Metabolic Delivery
The pulmonary circulation does not directly serve the metabolic needs of body tissues. Its sole function is gas exchange: oxygenating blood and removing carbon dioxide.
Pulmonary Circuit Pathway
- Deoxygenated blood enters the right atrium via superior/inferior vena cava.
- Right ventricle pumps blood through pulmonary arteries to the lungs.
- In pulmonary capillaries surrounding alveoli, CO₂ diffuses out, O₂ diffuses in.
- Oxygenated blood returns via pulmonary veins to left atrium.
- Left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood into systemic circulation for tissue delivery.
Key Distinction
Pulmonary circulation: Heart ⇄ Lungs (gas exchange only).
Systemic circulation: Heart → Body tissues (delivers O₂/nutrients, removes CO₂/waste).
The right heart handles pulmonary flow; the left heart powers systemic delivery. This separation ensures efficient oxygenation before blood reaches metabolically active tissues.
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