The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Bronchi

The bronchus, or plural bronchi are airways within the body that lead from the trachea to the lungs. No gas exchange takes place in the bronchi. However, the bronchi are crucial in the movement of air into the lungs. The trachea divides into two main bronchi, the left and the right. The right main bronchus is more vertical, much wider, and much shorter than the left bronchus. The right and left main bronchus then divide into two and three secondary bronchi, each which serve the left and right lungs. There are many other segmental bronchi, which also divide into primary bronchioles, then terminal bronchioles, then respiratory bronchioles, which finally divide into alveolar ducts. The alveolus is the final tissue which ends in gas exchange. While the bronchi are a crucial component in gas exchange in the body, there are also many problems associated with the bronchi. Bronchitis, asthma, allergies and pneumonia are all infections or conditions of the bronchi. Aspiration also occurs in the bronchi, and dust or asbestos fibers may include a chronic inflammation of the bronchi, leading to mesothelioma or lung cancer.