Respiratory bronchiole
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Ling J, Sharma R, Hacking C, et al. Respiratory bronchiole. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-54560
rID:
54560
Article created:
15 Jul 2017,
James Ling
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created James Ling had no recorded disclosures.
View James Ling's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no recorded disclosures.
View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures
Revisions:
4 times, by
4 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
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Synonyms:
- Respiratory bronchioles
Respiratory bronchioles are the final division of the bronchioles within the lung. They are a continuation of the terminal bronchioles and are approximately 0.5mm in size 1. They are comprised of simple cuboidal epithelium and contain a thin layer of smooth muscle and elastic fibres 2. Importantly, alveoli start to open off them and thus are the first bronchioles which allow gas exchange to occur. The respiratory bronchioles then split into alveolar ducts which in turn terminate into alveolar sacs and individual alveoli.
References
- 1. Chummy S. Sinnatamby. Last's Anatomy. ISBN: 9780702033957
- 2. John B. West, Andrew M. Luks. West's Respiratory Physiology. ISBN: 9781496310118
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