Organ
Bronchopulmonary segment
Bronchovascular subdivision of a lung lobe
High-yield
Bronchi and pulmonary arteries generally form central routes. Intersegmental veins help identify boundaries, alongside intrasegmental venous branches and anatomical variants.
Overview
A segment is defined by the territory of a segmental bronchus and its associated pulmonary vessels. It is a useful anatomical unit, but neighboring territories are not separated by a perfectly sealed, uniform partition.
Reference facts
- Location
- Within the lobes of both lungs, extending from central bronchovascular branches toward the pleural surface
- Parts
- Segmental bronchus, associated arteries and veins, and surrounding gas-exchange tissue
- Blood supply
- Pulmonary arterial branches, sometimes more than one; bronchial vessels to conducting tissue
- Innervation
- Pulmonary plexus autonomic and visceral sensory fibers
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Pulmonary venous tributaries include boundary and internal branches; lymph moves toward intrapulmonary and hilar nodes
- Function
- Organizes a regional airway and gas-exchange territory
Clinical correlation
Segmentectomy can preserve more lung than removal of an entire lobe. Planning depends on the individual bronchial and vascular pattern and on the disease being treated.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the bronchopulmonary segment located?
Within the lobes of both lungs, extending from central bronchovascular branches toward the pleural surface.
What does the bronchopulmonary segment do?
Organizes a regional airway and gas-exchange territory.
What are the parts of the bronchopulmonary segment?
The parts of the bronchopulmonary segment are the segmental bronchus, associated arteries and veins, and surrounding gas-exchange tissue.
What is the blood supply of the bronchopulmonary segment?
Pulmonary arterial branches, sometimes more than one; bronchial vessels to conducting tissue.