Organ
Segmental (tertiary) bronchi
Airways defining bronchopulmonary segments
High-yield
A segment is identified from its bronchovascular pattern. Branching variants mean that the actual anatomy must be checked before a segmental operation.
Overview
A segmental bronchus supplies a named subdivision of a lung lobe. Its branches and the associated pulmonary arteries form a central pathway, while important venous branches mark boundaries between adjacent segments.
Reference facts
- Location
- Divisions of lobar bronchi within lung parenchyma
- Parts
- Usually ten segmental territories on the right; eight to ten counted on the left, depending on combined segments
- Blood supply
- Bronchial vessels nourish the wall; neighboring pulmonary arteries deliver blood to the gas-exchange tissue
- Innervation
- Pulmonary plexus autonomic and visceral sensory pathways
- Relations
- Central segmental bronchovascular routes, with important pulmonary veins between segments
- Function
- Conduct air to particular bronchopulmonary segments
Clinical correlation
Segmental branching guides bronchoscopy and lung-preserving resection. Intersegmental veins help identify boundaries, but veins also have intrasegmental branches.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the segmental (tertiary) bronchi located?
The segmental (tertiary) bronchi lies divisions of lobar bronchi within lung parenchyma.
What does the segmental (tertiary) bronchi do?
Conduct air to particular bronchopulmonary segments.
What are the parts of the segmental (tertiary) bronchi?
Usually ten segmental territories on the right; eight to ten counted on the left, depending on combined segments.
What is the blood supply of the segmental (tertiary) bronchi?
Bronchial vessels nourish the wall; neighboring pulmonary arteries deliver blood to the gas-exchange tissue.