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Aorta and pulmonary artery are the two most important arteries in the human body. The aorta is the main artery and carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The pulmonary artery carries oxygen-rich blood to the lungs for purification. Therefore, arteries are the blood vessels that carry rich oxygen from the heart to the tissues of the body. Each artery is a muscular tube surrounded by smooth tissue and has three layers: the intima, the inner layer lined with a smooth tissue called the endothelium.
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Key Takeaways: Aorta, Pulmonary Artery, Heart, Circulatory System, Blood Vessels
Aorta
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Aorta is an elastic and distensible artery. The aorta provides oxygenated blood from the cardiovascular system to the rest of the body. When blood is pumped into the aorta from the left ventricle, the aorta expands. Blood pressure is maintained due to this increase during diastole, and it is caused by high blood pressure from this time the aorta reaches later. The walls of the aorta are as thick as they should carry high blood pressure or hypertension inside, as they create higher pressure than the pulmonary artery.
Aorta
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Structure of an Aorta
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The aorta artery is divided into six main parts-
Aortic Root - This is the base of the aorta where it connects to the heart pumping chamber. It creates two heart arteries that are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The two coronary arteries terminate at the beginning of the aorta.
Ascending Aorta - This phase of the aorta begins from the root of the aorta and extends upward to the point where the aorta arches. Due to the very limited support of surrounding tissues and the management of total cardiac output, it is considered to be one of the most vulnerable parts of the aorta.
Structure of Aorta
Aortic Arch - This is the curved section of the aorta. Along with the brachiocephalic (aka. Innominate), the normal left carotid and left subclavian arteries supply blood to the upper body including the head.
Aorta Degeneration - From the arch, it descends to the body and ends in the diaphragm. It provides oxygenated blood to the spinal cord.
Thoracoabdominal Aorta - This stage begins in the diaphragm and ends in the celiac, mesenteric upper, and visceral vessels.
Abdominal Aorta - This stage begins at the base of the kidney arteries and ends at the two iliac arteries. It also contains a small artery called the inferior mesenteric artery. This stage supplies blood to the kidneys.
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Pulmonary Artery
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The pulmonary arteries carry blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Medically, the term ‘pulmonary’ refers to something that affects the lungs. The blood carries oxygen and other nutrients to your cells. Your heart is a muscle pump that pumps blood through your body. The pulmonary artery has two parts - one enters the right lung and the other enters the left lung. It is the only artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the lungs.
Pulmonary Artery
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Structure of Pulmonary Artery
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The structure of the pulmonary artery is divided into two parts-
Pulmonary Trunk - It is also known as the pulmonary artery or main pulmonary artery, this stage extends from the right ventricle and continues to the branches in the left and right lung veins.
Structure of Pulmonary Artery
Left and Right Pulmonary Arteries - A branch from the trunk of the lungs, left and right arteries supply oxygenated blood to the left and right lungs respectively.
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Difference between Aorta and Pulmonary Artery
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The key differences between Aorta and Pulmonary Artery are tabulated below.
| Aorta | Pulmonary Artery |
|---|---|
| It supplies oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. | It carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs. |
| Function - It carries oxygenated blood to the whole body. | Function - It delivers deoxygenated blood to the lungs for purification. |
| It presents over the heart. | It is present under the aorta. |
| It performs the systematic circulation of blood. | Pulmonary trunks with right and left arteries perform pulmonary circulation. |
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Things to Remember
- The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen to the entire body, a disease in the aorta can be fatal.
- Both the aorta and pulmonary artery are important arteries and are vital for blood circulation throughout the body.
- The aorta is the longest artery that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Pulmonary heart disease can be serious or chronic.
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Sample Questions
Ques. Name some of the diseases caused due to pulmonary heart disease. (2 marks)
Ans. The two pulmonary heart diseases are -
Pulmonary embolism - It is a painful disease when a sudden disruption of blood flow causes disruption of blood supply to the lungs.
Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) - It is considered chronic when high blood pressure causes anemia and an increase in blood pressure that can damage the heart, lungs, and liver. The potential causes of PAH vary from inflammation of the arteries to aortic wall stiffness, etc.
Ques. Name some diseases caused due to aortic malfunction. (2 marks)
Ans. The two aortic diseases are as follows -
- Aortic Dissection - In this disease, the inner layer of the aortic walls swells causing blood to enter the wall.
- Aortic Aneurysm - It is caused due to a rare rupture in the aortic wall that may cause internal bleeding. The main causes of Aortic Aneurysm are known high blood pressure, smoking, and family history.
Ques. What causes connective tissue disorder in human beings? (2 marks)
Ans. Connective tissue disorder is caused due to weak walls of the aorta, fracture or tearing may occur. It is often seen in patients with Marfan syndrome, Ehler-Danlos syndrome, and other connective tissue problems. Therefore, with early detection and appropriate treatment, patients can continue to enjoy a normal life.
Ques. Enumerate the role of blood vessels in the human body. (3 marks)
Ans. The blood vessels are responsible for the circulatory system in all parts of the human body. The three types of blood vessels in our body are as follows:
- Arteries - This is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart and circulating evenly throughout the human body.
- Veins - This is responsible for transporting oxygen-free blood from all parts of the body to the heart.
- Capillaries - To transport blood to the tissues, the blood vessels are further divided into smaller tubes called capillaries.
Ques. Name the types of arteries and their functions. (3 marks)
Ans. There are three types of arteries in the blood vessels -
Elastic arteries - The thick middle layer of these arteries is able to stretch in response to each heartbeat due to its high collagen and elastin fibers.
Muscle Arteries - They are made of smooth muscle and are able to grow easily and reach based on blood volume and connect stretchable arteries and arterioles.
Arterioles - Blood vessels that are small in size from the arteries and have small walls. Oxygen and nutrients pass through the blood-carrying tissues through these tiny walls.
Ques. Why do arteries have a thick wall? (2 marks)
Ans. As the heart narrows, it pumps blood to the dilated arteries called the aorta. To counteract this pressure, the arteries have thick, muscular, and elastic walls. The blood then travels to the small arteries and then to the arterioles.
Ques. How does the circulatory system in human beings work? (2 marks)
Ans. The circulatory system (cardiovascular system) pumps blood from the heart to the lungs for oxygen. The heart then sends oxygenated blood to the arteries throughout the body. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood back to the heart to initiate blood circulation. So, the blood carries oxygen to all the cells of the body. To survive, a person needs healthy and living cells. Without oxygen, these cells can die.
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