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The bronchi, singularly known as a bronchus, are extensions of the windpipe that shuttle air to and from the lungs. Think of them as highways for gas exchange, with oxygen going to the lungs and carbon dioxide leaving the lungs through them. They are part of the conducting zone of the respiratory system.
Likewise, what does the bronchi and bronchioles do?
Bronchi are the main passageway into the lungs. The bronchi become smaller the closer they get to the lung tissue and are then considered bronchioles. These passageways then evolve into tiny air sacs called alveoli, which is the site of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the respiratory system.
Also asked, what is the structure of the bronchi?
The bronchi (singular: bronchus) are the airways that lead from the trachea into the lungs, and then branch into smaller bronchioles. Structurally, the bronchi are made up of cartilage that gives them stability and prevents their collapse.
There are as many as 30,000 tiny bronchioles in each lung. They lead to the alveoli by way of alveolar ducts. Together, the trachea and the two primary bronchi are referred to as the bronchial tree. At the end of the bronchial tree lie the alveolar ducts, the alveolar sacs, and the alveoli.