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A friend to the airways: a review of the emerging clinical importance of the bronchial arterial circulation

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Abstract

Lungs receive the bulk of their blood supply through the pulmonary arteries. The bronchial arteries, on the other hand, vascularize the bronchi and their surroundings. These two arteries anastomose near the alveolar ducts. Contrary to the pulmonary circulation which is fairly well studied, the bronchial arteries have been appreciated more by their absence, and in some cases, by an interruption in the pulmonary arterial flow. Therefore, a more accurate anatomical and functional knowledge of these atherosclerosis-resistant vessels is needed to help surgeons and clinicians to avoid iatrogenic injuries during pulmonary interventions. In this review, we have revisited the anatomy and pathophysiology of the bronchial arteries in humans, considering the recent advances in imaging techniques. We have also elaborated on the known clinical applications of these arteries in both the pathogenesis and management of common pulmonary conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George’s University, Grenada, West Indies

    Stephen Osiro, Christopher Wear, Ryan Hudson, Xiao-Xiao Ma & Marios Loukas

  2. Department of Anatomy, Medical School Varmia and Mazuria, Olsztyn, Poland

    Anna Zurada & Marios Loukas

  3. Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital with Oncology Center, MSWiA, Olsztyn, Poland

    Anna Zurada & Maciej Michalak

  4. Department of Oncology, Medical Faculty, University of Varmia and Masuria, Olsztyn, Poland

    Maciej Michalak

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  1. Stephen Osiro
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  2. Christopher Wear
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  4. Xiao-Xiao Ma
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Correspondence to Marios Loukas.

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Osiro, S., Wear, C., Hudson, R. et al. A friend to the airways: a review of the emerging clinical importance of the bronchial arterial circulation. Surg Radiol Anat 34, 791–798 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-012-0974-3

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