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Lateral basal segmental artery of right lung

The lateral basal segmental artery is a branch of the right lower lobe pulmonary artery that supplies the lateral basal bronchopulmonary segment (segment 9) of the right lung. It arises as one of the segmental branches of the right lower lobe pulmonary artery, usually after the superior segmental artery, coursing laterally in close relation to the segmental bronchus (B9) and accompanying veins.

The artery runs toward the lateral aspect of the right lower lobe, providing oxygenated blood to alveoli within segment 9. Together with its corresponding bronchus and vein, it defines the lateral basal segment as part of the bronchopulmonary segmentation system used in radiology, surgery, and pulmonary medicine.

This artery is clinically important in pulmonary embolism, segmental resection (segmentectomy), and lung cancer surgery, where precise knowledge of segmental vascular anatomy is critical for safe and effective intervention.

Synonyms

  • A9 (segment 9 artery)

  • Right lateral basal pulmonary artery

  • Arteria segmenti basalis lateralis pulmonis dextri

Function

  • Provides pulmonary arterial blood supply to the lateral basal segment (segment 9) of the right lower lobe

  • Participates in gas exchange by perfusing alveoli in its territory

  • Defines a bronchopulmonary segment with the lateral basal bronchus and vein

  • Serves as a landmark in segmentectomy, lobectomy, and interventional pulmonary procedures

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

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

  • Walls are thin and hypointense; surrounding lung parenchyma provides contrast

T2-weighted images:

  • Also demonstrates a signal void lumen

  • Adjacent pathology (atelectasis, consolidation, infarct) appears hyperintense, highlighting perfusion mismatch

T2 TRUFISP (cardiac/respiratory-gated):

  • Shows the artery as a bright, continuous vascular channel

  • Excellent for depicting segmental branching, patency, and anatomical relations with bronchi

  • Helpful in evaluating pulmonary embolism or congenital anomalies

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat, improving contrast with adjacent mediastinal and parenchymal tissues

  • May highlight perivascular edema, inflammation, or tumor invasion

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Lateral basal segmental artery enhances homogeneously and brightly

  • Allows visualization of segmental course, occlusion, stenosis, or vascular malformations

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

  • Provides 3D reconstruction of pulmonary arterial branching

  • Visualizes the lateral basal artery (A9) as part of right lower lobe segmentation

  • Useful for preoperative planning, congenital mapping, and non-contrast vascular assessment

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Contrast-enhanced MRA highlights the segmental pulmonary arteries and their branching pattern

  • Detects emboli, stenosis, or vascular anomalies

CT Appearance

CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA) / Pulmonary Angiography:

  • Best modality for delineating segmental pulmonary arteries

  • Lateral basal segmental artery (A9) seen branching laterally from right lower lobe pulmonary artery

  • Demonstrates emboli, stenosis, arteriovenous malformations, or tumor encasement

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions are crucial for surgical planning and embolism evaluation

CT images

Lateral basal segmental artery of right lung anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Lateral basal segmental artery of right lung anatomy CT axial image -img-00000-00000_00001

MRI image

Lateral basal segmental artery of right lung mri image