intra-acinar venule

The intra-acinar venule is a small venous vessel that receives blood after it has perfused the pulmonary alveoli through the capillary beds, and serves as a tributary of the pulmonary venules.

Intra-acinar venules are located within the lung acinus, situated at the periphery of the alveolar capillary network, collecting oxygenated blood after gas exchange has taken place.

The intra-acinar venule is involved in collecting freshly oxygenated blood from the alveolar capillary beds and channeling it toward the pulmonary venules for return to the left atrium.

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, pulmonary edema, interstitial lung diseases, or conditions causing pulmonary venous hypertension may be associated with changes affecting intra-acinar venules.

Intra-acinar venules may be assessed through pulmonary biopsy with histological and immunohistochemical analysis, CT of the lungs with vascular evaluation, or right heart catheterization measuring wedge pressure as a surrogate for pulmonary venous pressure.