pulmonalis

Pulmonalis is a Latin adjective meaning “of the lung” and is used in anatomical terminology to indicate structures related to the lungs. In modern usage, it appears in names such as arteria pulmonalis (pulmonary artery) and venae pulmonales (pulmonary veins). The term reflects the historical convention of describing anatomical structures with Latin descriptors.

In the context of the cardiovascular system, pulmonalis is most closely associated with the pulmonary circulation. Blood is pumped from the right ventricle into the truncus pulmonalis (pulmonary trunk), which divides into the right and left pulmonary arteries. These arteries transport deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where gas exchange occurs in the pulmonary capillaries. Oxygenated blood is then returned to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. This circuit functions in parallel to the systemic circulation and operates under lower pressure than the systemic arteries.

Embryology and anatomy note that the pulmonary system develops from the foregut-derived lung buds and the truncus arteriosus, with the pulmonary arteries diverging to supply the lungs. Variants and congenital conditions can affect pulmonalis-related structures, such as persistent truncus arteriosus, anomalous pulmonary venous return, or pulmonary artery stenosis, which can impact oxygenation and hemodynamics.

Etymology and usage: pulmonalis derives from pulmus/pulmon- (lung) plus the suffix -alis (pertaining to). While the term is common in Latin or historical anatomical nomenclature, modern English typically uses specific names like pulmonary artery or pulmonary veins when referring to these structures.