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Posterior basal segmental artery of left lung

The posterior basal segmental artery is one of the segmental branches of the left lower lobe pulmonary artery. It arises from the left lower lobe pulmonary artery trunk after its division into segmental branches, supplying the posterior basal segment (segment 10) of the left lung according to the Boyden/Bronchopulmonary segmental classification.

It runs posteriorly and inferiorly in close relation to the posterior basal bronchus (B10), accompanying it to supply oxygenated blood for pulmonary perfusion. The artery provides blood to the posterior basal parenchyma, located adjacent to the diaphragm and posterior chest wall.

Understanding its anatomy is crucial in segmentectomy, lobectomy, embolization, and interventional pulmonary procedures, as well as in interpretation of pulmonary CT angiography for embolism.

Synonyms

  • A10 of left lung

  • Left posterior basal pulmonary artery

  • Posterior basal branch of left lower lobe artery

Function

  • Supplies blood to the posterior basal segment (S10) of the left lower lobe

  • Maintains gas exchange capacity of the posterior basal lung region

  • Serves as an important surgical and radiological landmark in segmentectomy and pulmonary resection

  • Critical in pulmonary embolism evaluation and interventional planning

Branches

  • No major subdivisions beyond small intrapulmonary arterioles

  • Accompanies the posterior basal bronchus (B10) into the lung parenchyma

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

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

  • Vessel wall is hypointense against surrounding lung parenchyma

T2-weighted images:

  • Lumen remains a signal void; surrounding lung tissue may appear bright due to air–tissue interfaces

  • Pulmonary emboli may appear as intraluminal filling defects

T2 TRUFISP (cardiac/respiratory-gated):

  • Demonstrates the posterior basal artery as a bright, continuous vascular lumen with high signal against lung parenchyma

  • Useful for dynamic imaging of pulmonary perfusion and vessel patency

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat, improving delineation of vascular course through mediastinal fat near the hilum

  • Highlights adjacent inflammatory or edematous changes

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Enhances brightly and homogeneously, allowing excellent depiction of segmental branching

  • Useful in identifying stenosis, emboli, or arteriovenous malformations

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

  • Depicts pulmonary arteries including posterior basal artery in whole-lung 3D reconstructions

  • Useful in patients with renal dysfunction or contraindication to gadolinium

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Contrast-enhanced MRA highlights the posterior basal segmental artery within the pulmonary arterial tree

  • Excellent for mapping embolism, stenosis, or anomalous branching patterns

CT Appearance

CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA) / Pulmonary CTA:

  • Gold-standard for pulmonary arterial visualization

  • Posterior basal segmental artery appears as a contrast-enhanced tubular branch extending posteriorly and inferiorly into the left lower lobe

  • Demonstrates embolism (filling defects), stenosis, aneurysm, or arteriovenous shunts

  • Multiplanar reconstructions map segmental and subsegmental anatomy for surgical planning

CT images

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

CT images

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

CT image

Posterior basal segmental artery of left lung mri image