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Anterior basal segmental artery of left lung

The anterior basal segmental artery of the left lung is one of the segmental branches of the left lower lobe pulmonary artery, supplying the anterior basal segment (segment VIII) of the left lower lobe. It usually arises from the interlobar part of the left pulmonary artery, coursing anteriorly and inferiorly along the bronchus of the anterior basal segment.

This artery provides oxygenated blood from the pulmonary circulation to the anterior basal lung parenchyma, working in parallel with the anterior basal segmental bronchus and vein as part of the bronchopulmonary segmental unit. Its anatomy is highly relevant in pulmonary resection, segmentectomy, and interventional radiology, where detailed vascular mapping is essential.

Synonyms

  • A8 artery

  • Segment VIII artery

  • Anterior basal branch of left lower lobe pulmonary artery

Function

  • Provides arterial blood supply to the anterior basal segment (S8) of the left lower lobe

  • Supports gas exchange by delivering deoxygenated blood to the alveolar capillaries of the segment

  • Serves as an important surgical landmark in lobectomy and segmentectomy

  • Contributes to segmental perfusion assessment in pulmonary embolism imaging

Branches

  • Usually a single trunk, but may divide into 2–3 sub-branches within the anterior basal segment

  • Travels with the anterior basal bronchus and vein as part of the segmental triad

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Appears as a flow void (black lumen) due to continuous blood flow

  • Surrounded by hypointense vessel wall and hyperintense lung parenchymal fat planes

T2-weighted images:

  • Artery lumen also shows a signal void

  • Perivascular inflammation or edema may appear as hyperintense signal in surrounding tissue

T2 TRUFISP (cardiac/respiratory-gated):

  • Artery lumen appears as a bright, sharply defined tubular structure

  • Provides dynamic visualization with excellent contrast against lung parenchyma

  • Useful in assessing patency, stenosis, or external compression

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Fat suppression improves visualization of artery against mediastinal and hilar fat

  • Pathology (edema, infiltrates, inflammation) appears hyperintense around the artery

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Artery enhances brightly and homogeneously

  • Detects stenosis, thrombus, aneurysm, or extrinsic compression

  • Useful for segmental perfusion mapping

MRI Non-Contrast 3D Cardiac/Respiratory-Gated Imaging:

  • Reconstructs the pulmonary arterial tree in 3D

  • Visualizes the origin, course, and branching pattern of the anterior basal segmental artery

  • Helpful for pre-surgical planning in patients unable to receive contrast

CT Appearance

CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA) / CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA):

  • Anterior basal segmental artery seen as a contrast-enhanced tubular structure branching from the left lower lobe pulmonary artery

  • Best visualized in coronal and sagittal reconstructions with subsegmental detail

  • Detects pulmonary embolism, stenosis, vascular malformations, or anatomic variations

  • Crucial in lobectomy/segmentectomy planning and embolization procedures

CT images

Anterior basal segmental artery of left lung anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Anterior basal segmental artery of left lung anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000_00001

MRI images

Anterior basal segmental artery of left lung mri image

MRI images

Anterior basal segmental artery of left lung