Bronchiole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bronchiole | |
|---|---|
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| Diagram of the alveoli with both cross-section and external view. | |
| Gray's | subject #240 1098 |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | Bronchioles/A04.411.125 |
The bronchioles are the first airway branches that no longer contain cartilage. They are branches of the bronchi, and are smaller than one millimeter in diameter.
There are no glands or cartilage in any of the bronchioles, and the epithelial cells become more cuboidal in shape.
They are circular bubbles at the end of the bronci.
[edit] Pathology
Bronchospasm, a life-threatening situation, occurs when the smooth muscular tissue of the bronchioles constricts, severely narrowing their diameter. Bronchospasm is commonly treated by oxygen therapy and bronchodilators.
The medical condition of inflammation of the bronchioles is termed bronchiolitis. Diseases of the bronchioles include asthma, bronchiolitis obliterans, respiratory syncytial virus infection, and influenza.
[edit] Additional images
 Cross sectional cut of primary bronchiole |
 Bronchi, bronchial tree, and lungs |
 1. Trachea |
[edit] External links
lungs: right, left, lingula, apex, base, root, cardiac notch, cardiac impression, hilum, borders (anterior, posterior, inferior), surfaces (costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic), fissures (oblique, horizontal)
conducting zone: trachea, carina, bronchi, main bronchus (right, left), lobar/secondary bronchi (eparterial bronchus), segmental/tertiary bronchi (bronchopulmonary segment), bronchiole, terminal bronchiole
respiratory zone: respiratory bronchiole, alveolar duct, alveolus, alveolar-capillary barrier
pleurae: parietal pleura (cervical, costal, mediastinal, diaphragmatic), pulmonary pleura, pulmonary ligament, recesses (costomediastinal, costodiaphragmatic)
