What is the Difference Between Aorta and Pulmonary Artery?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The aorta and pulmonary artery are the two major arteries that carry blood out of the heart. They have distinct functions and characteristics:
- Aorta:
- Definition: The artery that supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
- Function: Carry oxygenated blood to the whole body.
- Location: Present over the heart.
- Kind of circulation: Performs systemic circulation.
- Structure: The aorta is divided into five main sections, including the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending aorta, and Thoracic aorta.
- Diseases: Aortic diseases are often diagnosed with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
- Pulmonary Artery:
- Definition: The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs for purification.
- Function: Supply blood to the lungs for purification.
- Location: Present beneath the aorta.
- Kind of circulation: Involved in pulmonary circulation.
- Structure: The pulmonary artery consists of two parts, with one branch going to the right lung and the other to the left lung.
- Diseases: Pulmonary diseases are often diagnosed with MRA or computed tomography (CT).
A crucial difference between the aorta and pulmonary artery is that the pulmonary artery carries oxygen-poor (deoxygenated) blood, while the aorta carries oxygen-rich (oxygenated) blood. The aorta is the largest artery in the body and channels oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, while the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs for purification.
Comparative Table: Aorta vs Pulmonary Artery
The aorta and pulmonary artery are two major arteries in the human body that carry blood away from the heart. Here are the key differences between them:
| Feature | Aorta | Pulmonary Artery |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The artery that supplies oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. | The artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. |
| Function | Carry oxygenated blood to the whole body. | Supply blood to the lungs for purification. |
| Location | Present over the heart. | Present beneath the aorta. |
| Kind of Circulation | Performs systemic circulation. | Performs pulmonary circulation. |
| Structure | Thick walls due to high blood pressure. | Thin walls compared to the aorta. |
In summary, the aorta is the longest artery that delivers oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body, while the pulmonary artery delivers deoxygenated blood to the lungs for purification.
- Aorta vs Artery
- Pulmonary Artery vs Pulmonary Vein
- Aorta vs Vena Cava
- Arteries vs Arterioles
- Arteries vs Veins
- Ascending vs Descending Aorta
- Artery vs Vein
- Pulmonary vs Systemic Circulation
- Mitral Valve vs Aortic Valve
- Coronary vs Carotid Artery
- Coarctation vs Hypoplastic Aortic Arch
- Arterial vs Venous Pulsation
- Arteriosclerosis vs Atherosclerosis
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus vs Truncus Arteriosus
- Aortic Dilation vs Aneurysm
- Aortic Sclerosis vs Aortic Stenosis
- Arterial vs Venous Blood
- Pulmonary vs Systemic Circuit
- Carotid Artery Pulsation vs Jugular Vein Pulsation