Bronchioles

Bronchioles are air passageways through which communication of air takes place between the lungs and surroundings. Bronchioles are further divided into several sub types of bronchioles. Bronchioles are the smallest subdivision of conductive respiratory tract. In fact bronchioles serve a dual role. First, they act as an air passageway that could allow the movement of gases all the ways to the alveoli. Second, bronchioles, unlike the bronchi, have the ability to act as a site for the exchange of gases. Bronchiole lacks muscles as well as cartilage.

STRUCTURE

The portion of lung that is ventilated by one bronchiole is give the name of pulmonary lobule. Following are the characteristics of the structure of bronchiole:

Each bronchiole is 1mm or less in diameter.

Each bronchiole is lined with ciliated cuboidal epithelium.

Terminal bronchiole is further division of bronchiole with a diameter of 0.5 mm or less.

Terminal bronchiole is divided into respiratory bronchiole. This is the point where conductive portion of respiratory system ends. From this point onward, all parts are able to make an exchange of gases.

Respiratory bronchiole ends into alveolar ducts.

FUNCTION

Following are some functions associated with bronchioles:

They act as a pathway through which gases can move from surrounding to alveoli and vice versa.
Due to the ciliated nature of epithelium, it has the ability to entrap foreign materials.
Terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles actually play an important role in the exchange of gases along with alveoli.

PATHOLOGY

Following are some pathologies associated with bronchioles:

The spasms of these respiratory tubes leads to inability of the body to cause exchange of gases with the surroundings.

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