THE PULMONARY TRUNK | Medicoze

This wide vessel, about 5 cm long, originates at the pulmonary orifice and ascends posteriorly to the left of the aorta to end at its bifurcation into right and left pulmonary arteries under the concavity of the aortic arch.It is contained within a common sleeve of serous pericardium with the ascending aorta and lies in front of the transverse sinus of the pericardium. The two auricles and both coronary arteries surround its base. These mediastinal structures can be conveniently studied by radiological techniques.

Branches

The right pulmonary artery passes to the right lung hilus behind the ascending aorta and superior vena cava and in front of the oesophagus and right main bronchus. The left pulmonary artery passes in front of the left bronchus and descending aorta to its lung hilus. It is connected by the ligamentum arteriosum to the lower aspect of the aortic arch. Branches of the pulmonary arteries accompany the bronchi and bronchioles.