On the other hand, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is lower in the air of the alveoli compared to that

of the blood capillaries. Carbon dioxide diffuses out of the blood capillaries into the alveoli and is then expelled through the nose or mouth into the atmosphere.
Therefore, the blood arriving at the lungs via the pulmonary arteries has a lower partial pressure of oxygen and a higher partial pressure of carbon dioxide compared to the blood leaving the alveoli. As a result, both gases diffuse down the partial pressure gradient. By the time the blood leaves the lungs via the pulmonary veins, the partial pressure of oxygen has been increased while the partial pressure of carbon dioxide has been lowered.