Bronchi
About the Bronchi
The bronchi are the conducting airways branching from the trachea. The right main bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left, explaining why aspirated objects preferentially enter the right bronchus. Main bronchi divide into lobar bronchi supplying each lobe three right, two left, then segmental bronchi supplying bronchopulmonary segments, and progressively smaller bronchioles. Cartilage rings support bronchi, transitioning to plates, then disappearing in bronchioles under 1 mm. The terminal bronchioles are the last conducting airways. Respiratory bronchioles mark the transition to gas exchange. Asthma involves bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and mucus, treated with bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi, chronic in COPD. Bronchiectasis is permanent dilation from chronic infection. Bronchoscopy allows direct visualization for diagnosis and foreign body removal.
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