pulmonary circulation
Heart-to-lungs pathway
Pulmonary circulation is the movement of blood between the heart and lungs, where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen.
In this circuit, the right side of the heart pumps oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs, where it picks up fresh oxygen before returning to the left side of the heart.
This contrasts with systemic circulation, which delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Lower chamber supplying lungs
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- left atriumHeart's upper oxygen-rich chamber
- loopCurve closing on itself
- blood flowMovement through vessels
Transfer of respiratory molecules
- alveoliLung's gas-exchange chambers
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
oxygenated blood · deoxygenated blood · partial pressure · oxygen saturation · hemoglobin · red blood cells · arterial blood · venous blood
Lower chamber supplying lungs
- left atriumHeart's upper oxygen-rich chamber
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- mediastinumCentral chest cavity region
- thoraxCentral body cavity
Intravascular coagulated mass
Minimal force or urgency
- shuntingMoving vehicles between tracks
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- distensionEnlargement from pressure
- cardiac cycleOne complete heart contraction-relaxation
right ventricle
Lower chamber supplying lungs
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
- left atriumHeart's upper oxygen-rich chamber
- loopCurve closing on itself
blood flow · perfusion · transit time · blood volume · cardiac output
gas exchange
Transfer of respiratory molecules
- alveoliLung's gas-exchange chambers
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- carbon dioxideRespiration byproduct, photosynthesis fuel
diffusion · oxygenated blood · deoxygenated blood · partial pressure · oxygen saturation · hemoglobin · red blood cells · arterial blood · venous blood · oxygen uptake
right ventricle
Lower chamber supplying lungs
- left atriumHeart's upper oxygen-rich chamber
- hilumSeed's umbilical mark
- mediastinumCentral chest cavity region
thrombus
Intravascular coagulated mass
low pressure
Minimal force or urgency
- shuntingMoving vehicles between tracks
- recruitmentSeeking new personnel
- distensionEnlargement from pressure
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