Bronchial artery
Dr Jeremy Jones et al.
The bronchial arteries are responsible for the majority of the oxygen supply to the lung parenchyma. There is much variation in bronchial anatomy, but in most patients, there are two bronchial arteries on the left and one on the right.
Anatomy
While the bronchial anatomy may be idealised, variation in anatomy with communication with other arteries is common and must be considered.
Left bronchial arteries
There are usually two bronchial arteries on the left that arise directly from the aorta.
- superior left bronchial artery : arises from the anteromedial surface of the aortic arch, lateral to the carina and posterior to the left main bronchus
- inferior left bronchial artery : also arises from the aorta and is parallel to the superior artery, but inferior to the left main bronchus; it may arise from other arteries, e.g. coeliac axis, splenic artery, phrenic artery
Right bronchial artery
The right bronchial artery usually arises from the 3rd right posterior intercostal artery or rarely, from the superior left bronchial artery
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