bronchial vein
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A bronchial vein is a small vein that drains deoxygenated blood from the bronchi and surrounding tissues of the lungs. These veins are part of the systemic venous system and typically empty into the azygos vein (on the right side) or the hemiazygos vein or superior intercostal vein (on the left side), which then return blood to the heart.
Usage
The term is used in medical and anatomical contexts to describe specific blood vessels. * The bronchial veins accompany the bronchial arteries. * Surgeons must be careful not to damage the bronchial vein during thoracic procedures.
Advanced Usage
- Bronchial venous plexus: A network of small veins, including the bronchial veins, that drain the bronchi. This plexus may connect with the pulmonary veins.
- The bronchial venous plexus provides a minor pathway for systemic venous return from the lungs.
Variants and Related Words
- Bronchial artery (n): The paired arteries that supply oxygenated blood to the lung tissue, specifically the bronchi and connective tissue.
- Azygos vein (n): The major vein on the right side of the vertebral column that receives blood from the bronchial veins (on the right side) and other vessels.
Synonyms
- Venae bronchiales (n): The Latin anatomical term for the bronchial veins.
Related Anatomical Structures
- Pulmonary vein (n): The veins that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. This is distinct from the bronchial veins, which carry deoxygenated blood.
- Systemic circulation (n): The part of the cardiovascular system that carries blood from the heart to the body and back to the heart. The bronchial veins are part of the systemic circulation, not the pulmonary circulation.
Noun
- veins serving the bronchi; empty into the azygos vein