partial pressure of CO2

[NVswmmr]

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So I remember reading somewhere (probably an answer to a question) that the partial pressure of CO2 is not the highest in the alveoli, but rather it is highest in the veins (or pulmonary artery). Can someone confirm and explain this?

 

[wait4me]

So I remember reading somewhere (probably an answer to a question) that the partial pressure of CO2 is not the highest in the alveoli, but rather it is highest in the veins (or pulmonary artery). Can someone confirm and explain this?

The partial pressure of CO2 will be the highest in the pulmonary artery because it brings the deoxygenated blood from the rest of the body to the lungs. Therefore, it will have the most CO2. It is then oxygenated in the lungs so after it leaves the lungs partial pressure of CO2 will be low.

The pulmonary artery is the only artery in the adult human body that carries deoxygenated blood.