Bronchial tree

Bronchial Tree

The Bronchial Tree (pronounced: bron-kee-al tree) is a term used in medicine to describe the system of airways within the lungs that facilitate the passage of air from the trachea (windpipe) to the alveoli (air sacs) where gas exchange occurs.

Etymology

The term "Bronchial Tree" is derived from the Greek word "bronkhos," meaning windpipe, and the Latin word "tree," due to the branching structure of the airways resembling that of a tree.

Structure

The Bronchial Tree begins at the trachea, which splits into two primary bronchi, one for each lung. Each bronchus then further divides into secondary bronchi, also known as lobar bronchi, which supply air to the individual lobes of the lungs. These lobar bronchi further divide into tertiary bronchi, or segmental bronchi, which supply air to the different segments of each lobe. The bronchi continue to divide into smaller and smaller bronchioles until they reach the alveoli.

Function

The primary function of the Bronchial Tree is to transport air from the trachea to the alveoli for gas exchange. The bronchi and bronchioles are lined with cilia and mucus, which help to filter, warm, and moisten the air as it travels to the alveoli.

Related Terms

• Trachea
• Bronchi
• Bronchioles
• Alveoli
• Gas Exchange
• Cilia

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Bronchial tree
• Wikipedia's article - Bronchial tree

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