What does the pulmonary artery carry?

The pulmonary artery is responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs. In the lungs, this blood will undergo oxygenation, allowing it to release carbon dioxide and absorb oxygen. This process is essential for the body's respiratory function, as it ensures that oxygen-rich blood can be sent back to the heart and subsequently distributed to the rest of the body via the systemic circulation.

Understanding the roles of the major blood vessels is crucial for recognizing how blood flows through the body. While the pulmonary artery specifically carries deoxygenated blood, the pulmonary vein is involved in bringing oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs. The oxygenation process that occurs in the lungs highlights the unique role of the pulmonary artery compared to other blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood.