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Inferior lobar artery of right lung

The inferior lobar artery of the right lung is the main arterial branch that supplies the right lower lobe. It arises from the right pulmonary artery shortly after it passes posterior to the right main bronchus. The inferior lobar artery descends obliquely toward the lower lobe, giving off segmental arteries to supply the five bronchopulmonary segments of the right lower lobe: superior (6), medial basal (7), anterior basal (8), lateral basal (9), and posterior basal (10).

Anatomically, it courses alongside the right inferior lobar bronchus within the lung hilum, maintaining a close relationship to the bronchial tree and pulmonary veins. The inferior lobar artery plays a critical role in pulmonary circulation, delivering deoxygenated blood to the alveoli of the right lower lobe for gas exchange.

Clinically, this artery is important in pulmonary embolism, lung resection planning (lobectomy, segmentectomy), and pulmonary hypertension evaluation.

Synonyms

  • Right lower lobar artery

  • Right inferior lobar pulmonary artery

  • Arteria lobaris inferior dextra

Function

  • Provides arterial blood supply to the right lower lobe of the lung

  • Ensures perfusion of all five bronchopulmonary segments of the lower lobe

  • Facilitates gas exchange by delivering deoxygenated blood to alveolar capillaries

  • Acts as a surgical and interventional landmark in lobectomy and embolization procedures

Branches

  • Superior segmental artery (A6) → supplies superior segment of lower lobe

  • Basal trunk branches:

    • Medial basal segmental artery (A7)

    • Anterior basal segmental artery (A8)

    • Lateral basal segmental artery (A9)

    • Posterior basal segmental artery (A10)

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Artery appears as a signal void (black lumen) within the right lower lobe hilum

  • Vessel wall hypointense; adjacent lung parenchyma of intermediate signal

T2-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood appears as a signal void

  • Thrombosis within the artery may show intermediate to hyperintense intraluminal signal

T2 TRUFISP (respiratory/cardiac-gated):

  • Depicts the artery as a bright, well-opacified lumen with sharp contrast against lung tissue

  • Excellent for showing patency, diameter, and flow dynamics in pulmonary hypertension or embolic disease

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat, improving visualization of perivascular changes

  • Edema or inflammatory infiltration around the artery appears hyperintense

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Artery lumen enhances brightly and homogeneously

  • Filling defects correspond to pulmonary emboli or intraluminal obstruction

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

  • Provides 3D anatomical reconstruction of pulmonary arterial tree without contrast

  • Visualizes the inferior lobar artery course and segmental branching

  • Useful for congenital anomalies, surgical planning, or contrast-contraindicated patients

CT Appearance

CT Coronary Angiography (Pulmonary CTA):

  • Best modality for evaluating the inferior lobar artery and its branches

  • Contrast opacifies the artery, showing origin, course, and segmental branching

  • Detects pulmonary emboli as intraluminal filling defects

  • Useful for lung cancer staging, lobectomy planning, and vascular malformations

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions demonstrate branching to each bronchopulmonary segment

MRI image

Middle lobar artery of right lung mri image

CT image

Middle lobar artery of right lung anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000_00001