It passes: anteriorly and slightly inferiorly to the tracheal bifurcation and anteriorly to the right main bronchus, and posteriorly to the ascending aorta, superior vena cava, and upper right pulmonary vein.
The right pulmonary artery enters the root of the lung and gives off a large branch to the superior lobe of the lung. The main vessel continues through the hilum of the lung, gives off a second (recurrent) branch to the superior lobe, and then divides to supply the middle and inferior lobes.