Topics

Topic

design image
Posterior basal vein of right lung

The posterior basal vein of the right lung is a major segmental tributary of the right inferior pulmonary vein, responsible for venous drainage of the posterior basal segment (segment X) of the right lower lobe.

It courses posteriorly and inferiorly through the lung parenchyma, collecting blood from the intrapulmonary venules of segment X. At the hilum, it joins other segmental veins to form the right inferior pulmonary vein, which drains oxygenated blood into the left atrium.

This vein is a critical anatomical structure in segmentectomy, lobectomy, and pulmonary venous isolation procedures, where precise venous mapping is necessary. Variations in pulmonary venous anatomy, including supernumerary veins, are common and clinically significant in thoracic surgery and atrial fibrillation ablation.

Synonyms

  • Right posterior basal pulmonary vein

  • Segment X pulmonary vein (right lung)

  • Tributary of right inferior pulmonary vein

Function

  • Drains oxygenated blood from the posterior basal segment (S10) of the right lower lobe

  • Contributes to venous return via the right inferior pulmonary vein → left atrium

  • Provides anatomical landmarks for lung resections and pulmonary vein isolation procedures

  • Part of the segmental venous pattern of the right lower lobe

Tributaries

  • Intrapulmonary venules from the posterior basal segment (S10)

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Vein appears as a signal void (black lumen) due to venous flow

  • Surrounded by hypointense wall and adjacent bright lung parenchyma fat planes

T2-weighted images:

  • Lumen shows a signal void with good contrast against surrounding tissue

  • Useful for tracking venous course within lung parenchyma

T2 TRUFISP (cardiac/respiratory-gated):

  • Posterior basal vein appears as a bright, continuous lumen with sharp contrast

  • Allows dynamic evaluation of venous filling into the right inferior pulmonary vein

  • Useful for detecting venous obstruction, stenosis, or anomalous pathways

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat signal, enhancing visualization of the vein against mediastinal and hilar fat

  • Detects perivascular edema or inflammatory changes

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced MRI):

  • Vein enhances brightly and homogeneously after contrast

  • Intraluminal defects indicate thrombus or narrowing

  • Essential for venous mapping prior to ablation or thoracic surgery

MRI Non-Contrast 3D Cardiac-Gated Imaging:

  • Provides a 3D anatomical map of the pulmonary venous system

  • Clearly shows the posterior basal vein coursing into the right inferior pulmonary vein

  • Valuable for pre-ablation pulmonary vein mapping and surgical planning without contrast

CT Appearance

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

  • Posterior basal vein visualized as a contrast-filled tributary of the right inferior pulmonary vein

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions allow clear demonstration of its relationship with arteries and bronchi of segment X

  • Critical for thoracic surgical resections, electrophysiology mapping, and detecting anomalous venous drainage

  • Detects thrombosis, stenosis, or variant anatomy that may impact procedures

CT image

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

CT image

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

MRI image

Posterior basal vein of right lung mri anatomy