lungnablóðæðarnar

Lungnablóðæðarnar, known in English as pulmonary veins, are a group of veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. There are typically four pulmonary veins, two originating from each lung. These veins are unique in that they are the only veins in the body that carry oxygenated blood; all other veins carry deoxygenated blood. The pulmonary veins arise from the capillary networks that surround the alveoli in the lungs, where gas exchange occurs. As blood passes through these capillaries, it releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen. This newly oxygenated blood then collects in venules, which merge to form the pulmonary veins. The pulmonary veins then travel towards the heart, entering the posterior aspect of the left atrium. The flow of blood through the pulmonary veins is essential for maintaining systemic oxygenation, providing the body's tissues with the oxygen necessary for cellular respiration. Any conditions affecting the pulmonary veins, such as stenosis or thrombosis, can have significant implications for cardiovascular health.