what are collateral vessels?
<answer> Abnormal blood vessels that connect the aorta with the pulmonary arteries. The aorta is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to arteries throughout the body. <context> Collateral Vessel Closure. Collateral vessels are abnormal blood vessels that connect the aorta with the pulmonary arteries. The aorta is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to arteries throughout the body.Pulmonary arteries are the vessels that transfer blood from the heart back to the lungs for oxygen.Everyone has collateral vessels, but they're normally small and not in use.They become enlarged in some people with congenital heart disease (heart disease that's present since birth).ulmonary arteries are the vessels that transfer blood from the heart back to the lungs for oxygen. Everyone has collateral vessels, but they're normally small and not in use. They become enlarged in some people with congenital heart disease (heart disease that's present since birth).