Bronchial vessels

Two arterial systems supply blood to lung tissue. The bronchial artery supplies oxygenated blood to the tissues forming the walls of the passageways. The pulmonary artery, carrying deoxygenated blood, supplies the alveolar capillaries where gas exchange occurs. 200x

Branches of bronchial arteries and veins supply the walls of respiratory passageways. Therefore, these vessels lie within and are smaller than the wall of the passageway.

Branches of the pulmonary artery, carrying deoxygenated blood, travel adjacent to respiratory passageways on their way to supply alveolar capillaries. Pulmonary arteries are much larger than bronchial blood vessels located in the wall of the passageway.