SIDE BRANCHES OF THE PULMONARY-ARTERY IN THE HILAR REGION

The pulmonary air space between the large bronchi at the hilum is supp lied by small daughter bronchi that stem from axial main branches. In this study, we evaluated the morphological appearance of the pulmonary artery which corresponds to the daughter bronchus using an inflated-f ixed lung specimen. In contrast to the relationship in the subpleural area, the pulmonary artery did not follow the corresponding airway in the area supplied by the daughter bronchus. Only at the tip of the ter minal bronchiole was a close association found. Each terminal bronchio le showed a tendency to receive its blood supply from the nearest pare nt branch of the pulmonary artery.