Human Anatomy, Part 2 - K. A. Diubenko, A. K. Kolomiitsev, Yu. B. Chaikovsky 2008

Specialized Part
Cardiovascular System, systema cardiovasculare – Venous System
Veins of the Lesser (Pulmonary) Circulation

Pulmonary Veins:

1. V.pulmonalis dextra superior;

2. V.pulmonalis dextra inferior;

3. V.pulmonalis sinistra superior;

4. V.pulmonalis sinistra inferior.

The VEINS OF THE Pulmonary Circulation are represented by four pulmonary veins: two right pulmonary veins, venae pulmonales dextrae (superior and inferior), and two left pulmonary veins, venae pulmonales sinistrae (superior and inferior) (Fig. 60).

The pulmonary veins, vv.pulmonales, originate from the pulmonary venules; they emerge from the hilum of the lung and empty into the posterolateral region of the left atrium. The pulmonary veins have no Valves. At the pulmonary hilum, the pulmonary veins occupy a posteroinferior position. In the ROOT of the right lung, the topographical relationships are as follows: the main bronchus is located superiorly and posteriorly, while the right pulmonary artery lies anteriorly and inferiorly to it, and the pulmonary veins are situated inferior to the artery. In the root of the left lung: the pulmonary artery is located superiorly, the left main bronchus is posterior and inferior to it, and the pulmonary veins are situated beneath the left main bronchus.

1. The right superior pulmonary vein, v.pulmonalis dextra superior, drains Blood from the segments of the superior and middle lobes of the right lung. Blood from the superior lobe drains via three branches: the apical, r.apicalis, anterior, r.anterior, and posterior, r.posterior. Blood from the middle lobe drains via the middle lobe branch, r.lobi medii.

2. The right inferior pulmonary vein, v.pulmonalis dextra inferior, drains blood from the segments of the inferior lobe of the right lung. Blood from the apical segment drains through the superior branch, r.superior, while blood from the basal segments drains via the common basal vein, v.basalis communis. The common basal vein merges with the superior branch of the inferior part to form the right inferior pulmonary vein.

3. The left superior pulmonary vein, v.pulmonalis sinistra superior, drains blood from the segments of the superior lobe of the left lung via three branches: the apicoposterior, r.apicoposterior, anterior, r.anterior, and lingular, r.lingualis.

4. The left inferior pulmonary vein, v.pulmonalis sinistra inferior, drains blood from the segments of the inferior lobe of the left lung. Blood from the apical segment of the lower lobe drains via the superior branch, r.superior, whereas blood from the basal segments of the left lower lobe drains through the common basal vein, v.basalis communis. The fusion of the superior branch and the common basal vein forms the left inferior pulmonary vein.



Last update: 08/08/2026

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