Saunders Respiratory Practice 2025 - Free Respiratory Practice Questions and Study Guide

The primary role of pulmonary circulation is to carry deoxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. In this process, blood low in oxygen is pumped from the right side of the heart through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen during the process of respiration. This is a critical function because it prepares the blood for circulation throughout the rest of the body, enabling the delivery of oxygen to tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide.

Understanding pulmonary circulation is essential for recognizing its role in the overall cardiovascular system. While options discussing the supply of oxygenated blood or filtering toxins may relate to the circulatory system, they do not define the unique function of pulmonary circulation, which specifically addresses the conversion of deoxygenated blood to oxygenated blood in the lungs. The distinction between systemic circulation and pulmonary circulation is vital, highlighting the focus of pulmonary circulation on the lungs and its involvement in gas exchange.