bronchus

bronchus, any of the large airway passages of the lower respiratory tract that diverge from the trachea (windpipe) and connect to the lungs. The trachea divides in an inverted Y into the two stem (or main) bronchi, one each for the left and right lung. The right main bronchus has a larger diameter, is oriented more vertically, and is shorter than the left main bronchus. As the bronchi extend into the lungs, they become smaller and narrower and ultimately subdivide into increasingly narrow airways known as bronchioles. The bronchi function to warm, moisten, and clean inspired air and distribute it to the gas-exchanging zone of the lung.

The bronchi are lined by the typical respiratory epithelium with ciliated cells and numerous interspersed mucus-secreting goblet cells. Ciliated cells are present far down in the airway tree, their height decreasing with the narrowing of the tubes. The frequency of goblet cells also decreases as the airway tree progresses. Cartilage rings provide support for the stem bronchi; as the bronchi extend deeper into the lungs, the rings are replaced by irregular cartilage plates. The bronchi also contain smooth muscle between the mucosa and the fibrocartilaginous layers. Contraction of the smooth muscle layers controls bronchi diameter and length and functions in the expiration of air from the lungs.

The bronchi also are ensheathed by loose connective tissue that is continuous with the other connective tissue elements of the lung and hence is part of the fibrous skeleton spanning the lung from the hilum to the pleural sac. This outer fibrous layer contains, besides lymphatics and nerves, small bronchial vessels to supply the bronchial wall with blood from the systemic circulation.

The major bronchi can become the seat of chronic inflammation, such as in chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis; the latter disease may be caused by cystic fibrosis. The major bronchi may also be the site of development of malignant disease. Inflammation and increased sensitivity of the smaller bronchi, which can cause the smooth muscle in the bronchi walls to contract and obstruct airflow, contribute to asthma.