What are the pulmonary veins?
The pulmonary veins is called the pulmonary veins. Gray's Anatomy (1918) describes it as four veins — two from each lung — that carry oxygenated blood back to the heart.
What it is
- Four veins — two from each lung — that carry oxygenated blood back to the heart.
- The only veins in the body carrying oxygen-rich blood.
- Empty into the left atrium.
Where it is
- Leave the hilum of each lung.
- Pass a short distance to the back of the heart.
- Enter the left atrium on its posterior wall.
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Last verified: 2026-07-18
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