Why pulmonary artery is called a artery if it does not carry oxygen rich blood?
Answers
If we go by that definition pulmonary artery is 'artery' inspite of carrying deoxygenated blood.
Answer:
Even though the pulmonary artery carries carbon-dioxide rich blood, it is called an artery because it carries blood away from the heart just like any other artery.
Explanation:
The blood vessels of the circulatory system are named arteries and veins depending on their direction of carrying the blood. Hence the classifications are as given below:
⇒ Arteries: Those blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart are known as arteries. The only artery that carries deoxygenated blood is the pulmonary artery that carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
⇒ Veins: Those blood vessels that carry deoxygenated blood from various parts of the body to the heart are known as veins. The only vein that carries oxygenated blood is the pulmonary vein that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart for distribution to all body parts.