What is the function of the pulmonary arteries?

The pulmonary arteries serve a critical function in the cardiovascular system by transporting deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. This process is vital because it allows the blood to receive oxygen and expel carbon dioxide through the process of respiration in the lungs. After the blood reaches the lungs, it picks up oxygen and returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins, now oxygenated, ready to be distributed to the rest of the body through the aorta.

Understanding the specific role of the pulmonary arteries highlights their importance in the pulmonary circulation, which is distinct from systemic circulation. The deoxygenated state of blood as it moves through the pulmonary arteries emphasizes the unique path this blood takes to become oxygen-rich before entering the systemic circulation through the left side of the heart.