title: A friend to the airways: a review of the emerging clinical importance of the bronchial arterial circulation.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, St. George's University, Grenada, West Indies.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Osiro
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wear
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Xiao-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zurada
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalak
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
mesh_terms: D001165:Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000503:physiopathology; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D001980:Bronchi / Q000098:blood supply; D001981:Bronchial Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods