The porcine bronchial artery: surgical and angiographic anatomy

The pig is often used in experimental studies on the significance of bronch ial artery circulation, but the anatomy of this artery is only poorly descr ibed. The purpose of this study was to improve the anatomical basis for exp erimental studies on the porcine bronchial artery circulation. The origin o f the artery from the aorta is described in 32 pigs. Heart-lung blocks were perfused with saline and removed in 16 pigs, and the broncho-oesophageal o rifice was identified and cannulated. In these 16 specimens the intrapulmon ary ramification was studied by angiography, and the extrapulmonary distrib ution and supply area by injection of Evans Blue. The broncho-oesophageal a rtery originated from the aorta as a single trunk in 91%. Angiography showe d that each principal bronchus was accompanied by 2 bronchial artery branch es far into the lung parenchyma. The central branching pattern of the arter y between the aorta and the principal bronchi was divided into 3 subtypes. Evans Blue showed communication with the whole mediastinum. The anatomical relations are described. It is concluded that the broncho-oesophageal arter y divides to follow each bronchus with 2 bronchial branches. A nomenclature for these branches is suggested. The pig anatomy is suited for experimenta l investigations on the bronchial circulation.