The term "bifurcation" has been used in the medical literature for a long time. Today several concepts are immediately known that include this word in their composition.
About the meaning of the term
Bifurcation is some kind of bifurcation. And usually this concept indicates that the division occurred in 2 parts with approximately the same diameter. It is important that both branches extend at comparable angles. Great examples are bifurcation of the carotid artery, aorta, or trachea.
Despite the fact that this term is best "accustomed" in medicine, it is quite possible to use it in other areas. For example, in geography such a thing as river bifurcation is sometimes found .
The Importance of Bifurcation in Medicine
The division into 2 approximately the same branches of blood vessels or the trachea is of great importance. For example, aortic bifurcation allows normal blood supply to both lower limbs. It divides the largest vessel of the human body into the right and left femoral arteries. At the same time, bifurcation of the trachea allows both lungs to be supplied with oxygen equally. So bifurcation is an important phenomenon in medicine.
About the aorta
Bifurcation is a division into 2 approximately equal parts. In the case of the aorta, this term has been used for a very long time, but in fact it is not entirely correct. The fact is that the common iliac arteries are not equal extensions of the aorta, but only its branches. She herself descends even lower in the form of a small thin vessel.
Aortic bifurcation occurs at level IV of the lumbar vertebra. This place is one of the critical in terms of vessel resistance to constant blood pressure. The fact is that it is here that aortic dissection quite often occurs. This state of affairs is due to the fact that bifurcation is a place that is constantly exposed to increased effects from the blood. It is here that it should be distributed along two common iliac arteries. The result is various kinds of blood vortices and the damaging effect of these flows on the vessel wall at the bifurcation site.
In addition to possible aneurysms in the field of aortic division, excellent prerequisites arise for the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. This is due to the fact that trauma to the vessel where bifurcation of the artery in 2 parts occurs occurs much more often than in any other areas. Gradually increasing in size, this plaque is able to significantly reduce blood flow in the pelvic organs and in the lower extremities.
Aortic Bifurcation Syndrome
This pathology is very dangerous. It brings a lot of discomfort to the patient himself and can seriously harm his health. Most often, this syndrome is accompanied by damage not only to the area of the aortic bifurcation itself, but also to other areas. We are talking about the renal, as well as common iliac arteries. Further the pathological process spreads only in a quarter of patients.
The main signs of aortic bifurcation syndrome are circulatory disorders in the vessels of the lower extremities and pelvis. Accordingly, the main clinical manifestations also concern precisely these areas. If we talk about the lower extremities, then patients feel quite pronounced pain. They have the so-called intermittent claudication.
Such clinical manifestations are so pronounced for the reason that it is the ischemic (with a lack of blood supply) pain that is most severe. A distinctive feature of intermittent claudication precisely in the case of aortic bifurcation syndrome is the fact that pain is localized not in the legs, but mainly in the hips and even gluteus muscles.
If we talk about the manifestations of the pelvic organs, then it should be noted that they are characteristic only for men. They are expressed in a decrease in libido and a weakening erection, up to impotence. Diagnosis of aortic bifurcation syndrome is based on a decrease in blood flow in the vessels of the lower extremities, which is determined by measuring blood pressure in this area and the strength of the pulse wave. To confirm the diagnosis, sphygmography or rheovasography is performed. Without specialized treatment, the severity of the disease is exacerbated.
Carotid artery division
Bifurcation is a phenomenon characteristic not only of the aorta, but also of the carotid artery. Its separation occurs at the level of the lower edge of the thyroid cartilage. In this case, the right and left carotid arteries, despite significant differences in their extent, are still divided into the external and internal branches here.
As with the aorta, this bifurcation is a place of increased danger. It is also possible the development of aneurysms and other pathological processes in connection with the increased effects of blood flow in this section of the vessel. The outgoing arteries are about 2 times smaller in diameter compared to their "progenitor." As a result, it is at the bifurcation site that there is an increased risk of thrombotization and embolization. For this reason, in the case of the emergence of an appropriate clinic, doctors first of all examine the sites of division of the arteries, and only then their remaining sections.
Bifurcation of the main airway
The trachea is a hollow organ that is responsible for conducting air to the bronchi and further to the lungs. In its structure there is a large number (up to 26) of cartilaginous rings, which do not allow the trachea to fall off.
Bifurcation of the trachea occurs at the level of the upper edge of the V thoracic vertebra. In children, it is located slightly higher. In addition, when inhaling, the bifurcation level shifts by about 2-3 cm down. Here, this large airway is divided into the right and left main bronchi. In the future, they themselves are split up many times. The main meaning of tracheal bifurcation is the crushing of one large airway into 2 smaller ones. This is necessary to bring oxygen directly to both lungs. Bifurcation of the trachea is carried out at an angle of approximately 70 o . When inhaling, this indicator may increase slightly.