Expansion
Divides into right and left pulmonary arteries below the aortic arch at about T5
Expansion
- Arises from the right ventricle, anterior and to the left of the aortic root
- Ascends and passes backwards, lying within the pericardium
- Divides at about T5, below and to the left of the aortic arch
The right pulmonary artery is the longer of the two and runs horizontally behind the ascending aorta and superior vena cava. The left pulmonary artery is shorter and arches over the left main bronchus, connected to the aortic arch by the ligamentum arteriosum.
A saddle embolus lodging at the bifurcation obstructs both lungs at once and is the classic cause of sudden cardiovascular collapse in pulmonary embolism.