Chapter 20 - Section 20.7 - Systemic Vessels of the Axial Region - Apply What You Know - Page 776: 1

Certainly! The pulmonary arteries and bronchial arteries serve different functions when it comes to blood supply in the lungs. 1. **Pulmonary Arteries and Oxygenation:** The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart (specifically, the right ventricle) to the lungs. This blood is low in oxygen and has a high concentration of carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration. In the lungs, the blood travels through tiny blood vessels called capillaries that surround the alveoli, which are air sacs responsible for gas exchange. During inhalation, oxygen-rich air enters the alveoli from the respiratory tract. Oxygen diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream, binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood and into the alveoli to be exhaled during exhalation. This exchange of gases results in the oxygenation of blood, transforming the deoxygenated blood in the pulmonary arteries into oxygen-rich blood. 2. **Bronchial Arteries and Nourishment:** The bronchial arteries are smaller arteries that branch off from the aorta (the main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart) and supply oxygenated blood to the lung tissue itself, including the supporting structures like bronchi, bronchioles, and connective tissues. Unlike the exchange occurring in the capillaries around the alveoli, the bronchial arteries do not participate directly in gas exchange. Instead, they provide oxygen and nutrients to the lung tissue to support its metabolic needs. Since the bronchial arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the lung tissue, it's important to note that this blood is not involved in the oxygenation of the blood that flows through the pulmonary arteries. The oxygenated blood from the bronchial arteries primarily nourishes the lung tissue and supports its cellular functions. In summary, the pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, while the bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to nourish the lung tissue. The distinction between these two types of arteries ensures efficient gas exchange and proper functioning of the lungs as a whole.

Certainly! The pulmonary arteries and bronchial arteries serve different functions when it comes to blood supply in the lungs. 1. **Pulmonary Arteries and Oxygenation:** The pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart (specifically, the right ventricle) to the lungs. This blood is low in oxygen and has a high concentration of carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration. In the lungs, the blood travels through tiny blood vessels called capillaries that surround the alveoli, which are air sacs responsible for gas exchange. During inhalation, oxygen-rich air enters the alveoli from the respiratory tract. Oxygen diffuses across the thin walls of the alveoli and into the bloodstream, binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood and into the alveoli to be exhaled during exhalation. This exchange of gases results in the oxygenation of blood, transforming the deoxygenated blood in the pulmonary arteries into oxygen-rich blood. 2. **Bronchial Arteries and Nourishment:** The bronchial arteries are smaller arteries that branch off from the aorta (the main artery carrying oxygenated blood from the left side of the heart) and supply oxygenated blood to the lung tissue itself, including the supporting structures like bronchi, bronchioles, and connective tissues. Unlike the exchange occurring in the capillaries around the alveoli, the bronchial arteries do not participate directly in gas exchange. Instead, they provide oxygen and nutrients to the lung tissue to support its metabolic needs. Since the bronchial arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the lung tissue, it's important to note that this blood is not involved in the oxygenation of the blood that flows through the pulmonary arteries. The oxygenated blood from the bronchial arteries primarily nourishes the lung tissue and supports its cellular functions. In summary, the pulmonary arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygenation, while the bronchial arteries supply oxygenated blood to nourish the lung tissue. The distinction between these two types of arteries ensures efficient gas exchange and proper functioning of the lungs as a whole.