Segmental bronchus

The segmental bronchus (tertiary bronchus) is a branch of the bronchial tree that supplies a specific bronchopulmonary segment—a distinct, functionally and anatomically separated region of the lung. Each bronchopulmonary segment receives air from its segmental bronchus and is independently supplied by its segmental pulmonary artery and drained by intersegmental veins. This anatomical arrangement facilitates the surgical removal of individual segments without significant compromise of the rest of the lung. The segmental bronchus itself is composed of cartilage, smooth muscle, epithelial lining, and connective tissue, and like other airways, is involved in the conduction of air to the alveoli for gas exchange. While segmental bronchi are relevant to pulmonary anatomy, surgery, and certain pathological conditions, they are not molecular drug targets or receptors[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

Tertiary bronchusbronchopulmonary segmental bronchus