Principles

Structure

Single common vein during embryology (4th week gestation) incorporated into the left dorsal atrium with 70% of patients having 4 pulmonary veins left superior (LS) left inferior (LI) right superior (RS) and right inferior (RI) which usually accommodates the middle lobe vein). The myocardium of the left atrium extends over the pulmonary vein for 1-2cms.

Congenital anomalies occur when there is over incorporation or under incorporation

Artistic rendition of the Left Atrium
Ashley Davidoff
TheCommonVein.net
77612b.3kb07.8s

Left Atrium from Posterior receiving Four Pulmonary Veins
The specimen of heart and lungs is examined from posteriorly with the left atrium and 4 pulmonary veins. (overlaid in pearl white) The trachea and bronchi are intact (green). The left atrium lies just below in the angle of the carina.
Ashley Davidoff
TheCommonVein.net
08376c02.82s

Anatomy of the Left Atrium
The anatomic specimen has been opened from its posterior aspect revealing a relatively smooth walled inner lining. The left atrial appendage(laa) has been opened revealing fine pectinate muscles. 5 pulmonary veins are seen entering the left atrium, with 2 entering from the left lower vein. The atrial septum with fossa ovalis and foramen ovale are smooth except for the “u” shaped upper border of the septum primum that allows identification of the left atrium. the glistening surface of the endothelium is exemplified in this image.
Ashley Davidoff
TheCommonVein.net
06426c01.81s

Size

SPV ostia larger

	ostia (cms)	1cms from ostia (cms)
RSPV	1.7 +/-.24 cms	1.4 +/-.21 cms
RIPV	1.59+/- .25 cms	1.16 +/-.25 cms
LSPV	1.76 +/-.41 cms	1.45 +/-.32 cms
LIPV	1.39 +/- .29 cms	1.23 +/-.24 cms

More commonly on left over incorporation

supernumerary R>L

Shape

Left pulmonary veins are oval ostia oval

Right pulmonary vein ostia are circular

Position

Usually right middle lobe vein drains into right superior vein in 70% directly into LA 20% and 5% intp RIPV

Lingula vein usually arises from the left superior pulmonary vein.

In 10-25% patients there is a single vein on one side. This is more common on the left

LA and Pulmonary Veins from Posterior

The specimen of heart and lungs is examined from posteriorly with the left atrium and 4 pulmonary veins. (overlaid in pearl white) The trachea and bronchi are intact (green). The left atrium lies just below in the angle of the carina.

Posterior View

Veins and Arteries

This normal anatomic specimen from a posterior aspect showing the LPA (1) and upper lobe pulmonary veins (2) and lower lobe pulmonary veins (3) shows the left pulmonary veins (1) and left pulmonary artery. The two veins to one artery is the usual. Venous inflow must of course equal arterial outflow and so each vein carries about half the load and are about half the size of the main branch pulmonary artery

Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD. 06881labelled

Anatomy of the Left Atrium

The anatomic specimen has been opened from its posterior aspect revealing a relatively smooth walled inner lining. The left atrial appendage(laa) has been opened revealing fine pectinate muscles. 5 pulmonary veins are seen entering the left atrium, with 2 entering from the left lower vein. The atrial septum with fossa ovalis and foramen ovale are smooth except for the “u” shaped upper border of the septum primum tha allows identification of the left atrium. the glistening surface of the endothelium is exemplified in this image.

Diagram of the Secondary Lobule

Veins and Lymphatics Travel Together

The arteries and airways pair up and travel together down the respiratory tree branching in exactly the same way until they reach the pulmonary lobule. The pulmonary lobule, also called the secondary lobule is a structural unit surrounded by a membrane of connective tissue, and it is smaller than a subsegment of lung but larger than an acinus. This diagram shows two secondary lobules lying side by side. The pulmonary arteriole (royal blue) and bronchiole (teal) are shown together in the centre of the lobule (“centrilobular”), with two other pairs of bronchovascular bundles, while the oxygenated pulmonary venules (red) and lymphatics (yellow) are peripheral and also form formidable and almost inseparable pairs. Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD art code lung secondary lobule bronchovascular bundle centrilobular polyhedral drawing normal anatomy histology 42440b08

Secondary Lobule and Interlobular Septa

Normal lung histology This image is a panoramic view of the lung showing secondary lobules and interlobular septa. Within the interalveolar septae, one sees small venules and lymphatics.Courtesy Armando Fraire MD. 32649b code lung pulmonary alveoli alveolus secondary lobule interlobular septa vein lymphatic histology interstitium interstitial

Secondary Lobule and Interlobular Septa

Kerley B line

44194b01 81F hx atrial fibrillation cardiac failure heart failure CHF RA enlarged LA enlarged ground glass mosaic perfusion Kerley B lines varicose pulmonary veins squiggly sign Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD

Venous Phase of the Pulmonary Angiogram Showing the Venous System

This is a normal venous phase of a digital pulmonary angiogram with arborization of the vessels almost from the venules to the upper vertically oriented veins and the lower horizontally oriented veins. Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD.

CTscan with both Venous and Arterial Phases

This compounded CT of the chest shows the pulmonary vascular circulation including the the pulmonary veins draining into the left atrium. The pulmonary arteries can be seen in the background. Courtesy Philips Medical Systems 32653 code chest lung pulmonary vein LA RVOT infundibulum normal anatomy radiology imaging CTscan

Virtual Study Showing Entry of Pulmonary Veins into the LA

This series of MDCT demonstrates the pulmonary veins and the left atrium in coronal projection (a) , and using virtual projections (b,c,d). Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD 37236C code CVS heart cardiac left atrium LA pulmonary vein virtual MDCT imaging radiology CTscan virtual CTscan

Applied Anatomy

Scimitar Syndrome

Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return to the IVC

AVM from hepatopulmonary Syndrome

A?P Embolization of AVM

Thrombosed Left Upper Pulmonary Vein and Secondary Hemorrhage

26 year old male who presents with shortness of breath a few months following RFA ablation for atrial fibrillation. Image a shows the left upper lobe thrombosed and the left lower vein contrast filled

Image b (the lung windows) shows thickening of the interlobular septa and secondary lobules distended with material, probably representing blood.

following male SOB s/p RFA ablation for atrial fibrillation lung pulmonary let upper lobe pulmonary vein thrombosed secondary lobule interlobular septa are thickened secondary lobule destroyed dx pulmonary vein thrombosis secondary to radiofrequency ablation therapy iatrogenic CTscan Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Scott Tsai MD ground glass changes pulmonary infarction venous infarction

75413c01

75413b01 26 male SOB s/p RFA ablation for atrial fibrillation lung pulmonary let upper lobe pulmonary vein thrombosed secondary lobule interlobular septa are thickened secondary lobule destroyed dx pulmonary vein thrombosis secondary to radiofrequency ablation therapy iatrogenic CT scan Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Scott Tsai MD ground glass changes pulmonary infarction venous infarction

75413c07 26 male SOB s/p RFA ablation for atrial fibrillation lung pulmonary let upper lobe pulmonary vein thrombosed secondary lobule interlobular septa are thickened secondary lobule destroyed dx pulmonary vein thrombosis secondary to radiofrequency ablation therapy iatrogenic CT scan Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Scott Tsai MD ground glass changes pulmonary infarction venous infarction

Thrombosed left Upper Lobe Vein in Coronal and Sagittal View

75413c08 26 male SOB s/p RFA ablation for atrial fibrillation lung pulmonary let upper lobe pulmonary vein thrombosed dx pulmonary vein thrombosis secondary to radiofrequency ablation therapy iatrogenic CT scan Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Scott Tsai MD pulmonary infarction venous infarction

Relationship of the Left Sided Pulmonary Veins to the Esophagus

The normal indentations on the esophagus include the aortic arch and knob seen in bright red in b. The left bronchus is usually seen as a oblique line crossing the back of the esophagus, but in this case is seen as a focal indentation on the anterior wall. The left atrium is seen pulsating against the distal esophagus (maroon) usually when the left atrium is enlarged.

Pulmonary Circulation

Heart

Pulmonary Veins

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