What role do pulmonary arteries play in the circulatory system?

Pulmonary arteries play a crucial role in the circulatory system by carrying deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. This process is essential for maintaining the oxygen levels in the bloodstream and removing carbon dioxide from the body. Once the blood reaches the lungs, it undergoes gas exchange, where carbon dioxide is expelled, and oxygen is absorbed. After this oxygenation process, the now oxygenated blood returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins, ready to be distributed throughout the body.

Understanding the specific function of pulmonary arteries helps clarify their unique role compared to other blood vessels in the circulatory system, such as systemic arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.