BRONCHIOLE Meaning and
Definition
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A bronchiole refers to a small airway tube in the respiratory system that is involved in the movement of air within the lungs. It is a subdivision of the bronchial tree, which begins at the end of the bronchi and further divides into even smaller respiratory tubes known as alveolar ducts.
Bronchioles have a composition of smooth muscle and lined with ciliated epithelial cells. These cells serve the purpose of propelling mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs by coordinated rhythmic movements. The smooth muscle surrounding the bronchioles is capable of contracting and relaxing, allowing it to adjust the diameter and regulate the airflow. This feature becomes particularly important during certain respiratory conditions like asthma, where the bronchioles may become constricted and inhibit breathing.
The bronchioles are responsible for transporting air from the larger bronchi directly into the alveoli, which are tiny air sacs where gas exchange occurs. As the bronchioles get smaller and divide, they branch off into numerous alveolar ducts, which ultimately lead to the alveoli, where oxygen is transferred into the blood and carbon dioxide is removed from the body.
Bronchioles play a crucial role in maintaining respiratory health by ensuring the efficient flow of air to the alveoli. They are an essential component of the lungs, allowing for the exchange of gases necessary for sustaining life.
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Bronchiolus; one of the finer subdivisions of the bronchial tubes, less than 1 mm. in diameter, and having no cartilage in its wall.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BRONCHIOLE
Etymology of BRONCHIOLE
The word bronchiole originates from the combination of two Latin words: bronchus and ole. Bronchus refers to the bronchial tubes, which are the main passageways leading from the trachea (windpipe) into the lungs. Ole is a diminutive suffix in Latin, meaning small. Therefore, bronchiole translates to a small bronchus or a small airway.
Similar spelling words for BRONCHIOLE
- branchiopoda,
- bronchus,
- broncobuster,
- branchlet,
- bronchoscope,
- branchia,
- broncho,
- branche,
- branched,
- bronchoscopic,
- branchless,
- bronchitis,
- bronchiolar,
- branching,
- branch out,
- Brunkhorst,
- bronchitic,
- branchiura,
- brainchild,
- branchiopod,
- Bronx Cheer,
- bronchiolitis,
- brenchley,
- branchlae,
- bronchial,
- branchial,
- branchiate,
- branchiopodan.
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