PULMONARY TRUNK

Where does the pulmonary trunk start?

At the level of the right ventricle (fibrous annulus of the pulmonary trunk).

Where does the pulmonary trunk end?

Posterior to the ascending aorta and inferior to the aortic arch.

What does the pulmonary trunk divide into?

The right and left pulmonary arteries.

What is the pathway of the pulmonary trunk?

Almost horizontal → going posterior and to the right.

What does the pulmonary trunk surround?

The left surface of the ascending aorta.

What covers the pulmonary trunk?

Serous pericardium.

What does the fibrous pericardium do at the pulmonary trunk?

Ends at the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk.

What are the anterior relations of the pulmonary trunk?

Near its origin → it is covered by the left auricle,

the fibrous pericardium,

the left costo-mediastinal recess,

and the thymus gland (in children).

What are the posterior relations of the pulmonary trunk?

At the origin → it is related to the aorta; after it moves left of the aorta,

the anterior surface of the left atrium is posterior to it.

What are the right and left relations of the pulmonary trunk?

Right: Ascending aorta and superior vena cava.

Left: Left auricle and left coronary artery.

What is the origin and pathway of the right pulmonary artery?

It is a branch of the pulmonary trunk,

runs horizontally to the right under the aortic arch,

and reaches the right lung hilum.

What happens to the right pulmonary artery at the hilum?

It divides into branches for the right pulmonary lobes.

What are the anterior relations of the right pulmonary artery?

Superior vena cava,

right phrenic nerve,

pericardiophrenic vessels.

What are the posterior relations of the right pulmonary artery?

Esophagus,

right main bronchus.

What are the inferior and superior relations of the right pulmonary artery?

Inferior: Right pulmonary veins.

Superior: Aortic arch.

How does the left pulmonary artery compare to the right?

It is shorter and narrower.

What is the pathway of the left pulmonary artery?

It reaches the left pulmonary hilum and gives off branches.

What connects the left pulmonary artery to the aortic arch?

The arterial ligament of Botallo.

What structure is the left pulmonary artery part of?

The left pulmonary pedicle.

What is the position of the left pulmonary artery in the left pulmonary pedicle?

Superior to the main left bronchus.

Where does the right brachiocephalic vein start?

Behind the right sternoclavicular joint.

What is the pathway of the right brachiocephalic vein?

It descends obliquely until it reaches the first costal cartilage → where it unites with the left brachiocephalic vein to form the superior vena cava.

Where is the left brachiocephalic vein formed?

Posterior to the left sternoclavicular joint.

What is the pathway of the left brachiocephalic vein?

It runs obliquely to the right and joins the right brachiocephalic vein posterior to the first right costal cartilage.

How does the left brachiocephalic vein compare to the right?

It is considerably longer and crosses the superior mediastinum from left to right.

What are the anterior relations of the left brachiocephalic vein?

Sternum and the origins of the strap muscles.

What are the posterior relations of the left brachiocephalic vein?

Left subclavian and left common carotid artery,

brachiocephalic trunk,

left vagus nerve,

left phrenic nerve.

Where does the superior vena cava form?

Posterior to the first right costal cartilage from the right and left brachiocephalic veins.

What is the pathway of the superior vena cava?

It descends in the superior and middle mediastinum (part covered by pericardium).

Where does the superior vena cava drain?

Into the right atrium,

posterior to the third right costal cartilage.

What is the anterior relation of the superior vena cava?

Right internal thoracic vessels.

What are the posterior and medial relations of the superior vena cava?

Trachea,

right vagus nerve.

What are the lateral relations of the superior vena cava?

Right mediastinal pleura,

right lung.

What is the posterior relation of the superior vena cava inside the pericardium?

Right pulmonary pedicle.

What is the anterior relation of the superior vena cava inside the pericardium?

Right auricle.

What is the medial relation of the superior vena cava inside the pericardium?

Ascending aorta.

What is the lateral relation of the superior vena cava inside the pericardium?

Mediastinal surface of the right lung.