pulmonary vein

noun

: a valveless vein that returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart

Examples of pulmonary vein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Doctors close a wound to the left pulmonary vein, then try to revive her with two hours of chest massage — first externally and then directly to the heart. Jocelyn Noveck, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2022 Four openings were designed to lead to the aorta, the vena cava, the pulmonary artery, and the pulmonary vein; a cable connected it to a black dictionary-size control box. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2021 At the back of the organ, Lefrak left the pulmonary veins intact, slicing instead into the top of the damaged heart itself, leaving behind cuffs of tissue from Baisey's left and right atria. oregonlive, 5 Oct. 2019 Life beyond football Off the field, Montgomery developed a relationship with Hunter Erb, an elementary-age boy with pulmonary vein stenosis. Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, 15 Apr. 2019 Montgomery displayed leadership off the field in his relationship with Hunter Erb, a 6-year-old who has pulmonary vein stenosis. Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, 28 Feb. 2019 In people who have this condition, the pulmonary veins, which drain blood from the lungs back into the left atrium, get irritable and start making the heart contract maniacally. Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, 22 June 2018 The larger valves cannot be placed in anatomic position, and that can lead to clots and obstruct blood flow to other parts of the heart or pulmonary veins. Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz, chicagotribune.com, 8 Mar. 2018 An urgent surgery showed a severe wound to the left pulmonary vein. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pulmonary vein.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pulmonary vein was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near pulmonary vein

Cite this Entry

“Pulmonary vein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pulmonary%20vein. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pulmonary vein

noun
: a vein that returns oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart

Medical Definition

pulmonary vein

noun
: any of usually four veins comprising two from each lung that return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the superior part of the left atrium, that may include three veins from the right lung if the veins from all three lobes of the right lung remain separate, and that may include a single trunk from the left lung if its major veins unite before emptying into the left atrium

More from Merriam-Webster on pulmonary vein

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!