right pulmonary artery

Introduction

The longer of the 2 terminal branches of the pulmonary trunk (right & left pulmonary arteries). An elastic artery with many elastic lamella in the tunica media.

Origin

pulmonary artery (trunk)

Course

• passes transversely across the midline in the superior mediastinum
• passes inferior to the aortic arch
• enters the hilum of the right lung as part of its root

Branches

(frequent variations)

• superior lobar arteries
• middle lobar artery
• inferior lobar arteries

More general terms

• artery