Left inferior pulmonary vein
Vena pulmonalis sinistra inferior
CardiovascularBlood vesselsThoraxLeft side
- What it is
- The inferior left pulmonary vein leaves the lower part of the left lung hilum and runs a short course to open into the posterior wall of the left atrium.
- Function
- Returns oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left side of the heart.
- Size
- ~1–1.5 cm diameter; 1–2 cm long outside the lung.
- Clinical note
- Sleeves of atrial muscle extending into the pulmonary veins trigger most atrial fibrillation, the target of catheter "pulmonary vein isolation".