Quick Facts
The bronchial arteries supply the bronchi and lower trachea, and passing along the posterior sides of the bronchi to ramify about the respiratory bronchioles; distributed also to adjacent lymph nodes and pulmonary vessels (Dorland, 2011).
Related parts of the anatomy
Structure/Morphology
The bronchial arteries provide an arterial supply to the branches of the bronchial trees of the pulmonary system. These arteries belong to the systemic circulation, as opposed to the pulmonary arteries which belong to the pulmonary circulation.
The bronchial arteries arise from the thoracic descending aorta and supply the lower trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. They are drained by the pulmonary veins (Dorland, 2011).
Function
These arteries carry oxygenated blood toward the pulmonary system in order to nourish the tissues of the bronchioles. These vessels do not partake in gas exchange.
References
Dorland, W. (2011) Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 32nd edn. Philadelphia, USA: Elsevier Saunders.
