General Anatomy/Pulmonary System

The pulmonary system consists predominantly of blood vessels and the lungs. The blood vessels are known as the pulmonary vascular system and they are responsible for carrying blood from the heart (right ventricle) through the lungs and back to the heart (left atrium). As blood circulates through the lungs, it is oxygenated by passing through the pulmonary capillary network, being in close opposition to the gas exchanging units of the lung (alveoli) and thus picking up oxygen. The lungs are made of airways for movement of air from the nose and mouth, and lung tissue (parenchyma) which includes the alveoli.