What does pulmonary circulation involve?

Pulmonary circulation specifically refers to the movement of blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs and back to the heart. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries, which carry it to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is released, and oxygen is absorbed, effectively oxygenating the blood. This oxygen-rich blood then returns to the left side of the heart through the pulmonary veins, where it can be distributed to the rest of the body.

This concept is crucial in understanding the overall cardiovascular system and highlights the role of the heart's right side in managing blood flow to the lungs for oxygenation. The focus on the right heart and the direct pathway to the lungs distinguishes pulmonary circulation from systemic circulation, which involves the left side of the heart and the distribution of oxygenated blood to body tissues.