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in the pulmonary circulatory system, blood is pumped from the right ventricle (rv) through the pulmonary valve into the main pulmonary artery (pa). the pa divides into the right and left pulmonary arteries, which further subdivide into the arterioles and capillaries of the lungs. where does the blood from the lungs flow next?

User Drolex
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3 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

Oxygenated blood from the lungs flows through pulmonary venules into the pulmonary veins, which carry it into the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circuit.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the gas exchange occurs within the lungs' alveoli, the blood becomes oxygenated and then flows into a series of pulmonary venules and larger pulmonary veins. These veins are crucial as they serve as the vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood back to the heart to complete the pulmonary circuit. Specifically, there are four pulmonary veins (two from each lung) that carry this reoxygenated blood into the left atrium of the heart.

From the left atrium, the blood moves into the left ventricle where it is then pumped through the aortic valve into the aorta, signifying the beginning of the systemic circulation. This journey delivers oxygenated blood throughout the body where it will eventually return to the right atrium via the superior and inferior venae cavae, marking the cycle's completion.

User Matthew Lymer
by
7.3k points
4 votes

Final answer:

Oxygenated blood from the lungs flows through pulmonary venules into the pulmonary veins, which carry it into the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circuit.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the gas exchange occurs within the lungs' alveoli, the blood becomes oxygenated and then flows into a series of pulmonary venules and larger pulmonary veins. These veins are crucial as they serve as the vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood back to the heart to complete the pulmonary circuit. Specifically, there are four pulmonary veins (two from each lung) that carry this reoxygenated blood into the left atrium of the heart.

From the left atrium, the blood moves into the left ventricle where it is then pumped through the aortic valve into the aorta, signifying the beginning of the systemic circulation. This journey delivers oxygenated blood throughout the body where it will eventually return to the right atrium via the superior and inferior venae cavae, marking the cycle's completion.

User HansA
by
8.0k points
3 votes

Final answer:

Oxygenated blood from the lungs flows through pulmonary venules into the pulmonary veins, which carry it into the left atrium, completing the pulmonary circuit.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the gas exchange occurs within the lungs' alveoli, the blood becomes oxygenated and then flows into a series of pulmonary venules and larger pulmonary veins. These veins are crucial as they serve as the vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood back to the heart to complete the pulmonary circuit. Specifically, there are four pulmonary veins (two from each lung) that carry this reoxygenated blood into the left atrium of the heart.

From the left atrium, the blood moves into the left ventricle where it is then pumped through the aortic valve into the aorta, signifying the beginning of the systemic circulation. This journey delivers oxygenated blood throughout the body where it will eventually return to the right atrium via the superior and inferior venae cavae, marking the cycle's completion.

User Matt Spinks
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8.3k points