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Posterior basal segmental artery of right lung

The posterior basal segmental artery is one of the segmental branches of the right lower lobar pulmonary artery, supplying the posterior basal (segment 10, S10) of the right lower lobe. It typically arises as one of the terminal branches of the right lower lobar artery after division of the interlobar artery.

It courses posteriorly and inferiorly toward the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe, accompanying the posterior basal segmental bronchus (B10) and draining into corresponding pulmonary veins. This artery provides oxygen-depleted blood to the posterior basal lung parenchyma for gas exchange.

Anatomical variations in branching are common, and detailed knowledge is important for segmentectomy, lobectomy, bronchoscopic procedures, and interventional radiology.

Synonyms

  • Right S10 segmental artery

  • Posterior basal branch of right lower lobar artery

  • Arteria segmentalis basalis posterior dextra

Function

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

  • Delivers pulmonary arterial circulation to alveoli for gas exchange

  • Serves as a key surgical landmark during lower lobe resections and segmentectomy

  • Provides a segmental vascular division useful in oncology, interventional radiology, and thoracic surgery

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Vessel lumen appears as a signal void (black) due to pulmonary arterial flow

  • Surrounded by intermediate-signal lung parenchyma

T2-weighted images:

  • Vessel lumen also appears as a signal void, best visualized against hyperintense background of lung parenchyma on high-resolution sequences

T2 TRUFISP (cardiac/respiratory-gated):

  • Demonstrates the artery as a bright enhancing vascular channel coursing posteriorly toward the basal segment

  • Provides dynamic visualization of blood flow and segmental anatomy

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat and highlights adjacent pathology such as inflammation, edema, or mass effect on the vessel

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Artery enhances homogeneously and brightly

  • Useful for mapping segmental branches, stenosis, embolism, or vascular anomalies

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

  • Provides 3D reconstructions of pulmonary arterial tree

  • Allows visualization of the posterior basal segmental artery in relation to segmental bronchus and veins

  • Useful in surgical planning when contrast is contraindicated

CT Appearance

CT Coronary Angiography (Pulmonary CTA):

  • Gold standard for segmental pulmonary artery visualization

  • Posterior basal segmental artery is seen as a contrast-filled branch arising from the right lower lobar artery, coursing to S10

  • Demonstrates stenosis, embolism, tumor encasement, or anatomical variations

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions provide precise segmental anatomy mapping for surgery or interventions

CT image

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

CT image

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

MRI image

Posterior Basal Segmental Artery of Right Lung mri image