What does pulmonary circulation primarily carry?

Pulmonary circulation primarily carries deoxygenated blood to the lungs. In this circuit, blood that has already circulated through the body and delivered oxygen to tissues returns to the heart, entering the right atrium. From there, it moves into the right ventricle, which contracts to pump this deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary arteries leading to the lungs. In the lungs, carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen during respiration, resulting in the blood being oxygenated before it returns to the heart through the pulmonary veins.

The primary role of pulmonary circulation is to facilitate this exchange of gases, ensuring that the blood is re-oxygenated before it is sent back to the rest of the body. This distinguishes it from systemic circulation, which is responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart to the body's muscles and organs. Proper understanding of these circulatory pathways is essential for fitness instructors, as it relates to overall cardiovascular health and the efficient delivery of oxygen to tissues during physical activity.