Bronchi – structure and functions. Bronchial disorders

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The bronchi are an important part of the respiratory system that belongs to its lower part. The bronchial tree is directly connected to the lungs – this is where air enters. What is the work of the bronchi? We check not only how they are built, but also describe the most common bronchial diseases.

Bronchi – basic structure

The bronchi is an element of the respiratory system located between the trachea and bronchioles. At the level of the 1th intervertebral disc, the trachea divides into two parts – the right main bronchus and the left main bronchus. Both consist of branched tubes, the diameter of which does not exceed XNUMX mm, forming the so-called bronchial tree.

The bronchial tree has 16 generations defined as sites of consecutive divisions. The bronchial wall is lined with the mucosa together with the multi-row snap epithelium. It is thanks to him that it is possible to move the mucus to the bronchioles and trachea. The wall contains microfages, lymphocytes and mast cells.

The main bronchi (right and left) branch into the lobar bronchi directly connected to the lungs. Smaller than the lobar bronchi are segmental bronchi, which divide into sub-segmental bronchi, at the ends of which there are bronchioles and then alveoli.

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Bronchi – functions

The main task of the bronchi is to bring air to and from the lungs. Apart from this function, which is actually passive, the bronchi have other tasks as well.

The walls of the tubes are lined with multi-row lamellar epithelium, which in practice means small cilia that purify the air that enters the lungs. Moving in a coordinated manner, they move pollutants towards the upper respiratory tract.

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The mucus produced by the bronchial glands performs the same function. Microbes and impurities hang in it, and thanks to the cilia and cough reflex, they are excreted from the body. If there is more and more of this mucus, and the cough becomes more troublesome, it is worth reaching for Degumming – a mixture of herbs that supports expectoration and getting rid of secretions.

In addition, thanks to the muscular layer responsible for contracting the bronchial muscles, it is possible to induce a sudden cough reflex in the event of a foreign body coming into contact with the wall.

Bronchi – the most common diseases

Bronchial diseases are one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases, especially diseases with an infectious origin. In this case, special attention must be paid to viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, which can also attack the bronchi. In addition, bronchial diseases include:

1. Bronchitis,
2. Bronchial asthma,
3. Bronchiectasis,
4. Bronchial tumors,
5. Cystic fibrosis,
6. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia,
7. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia – a disease of premature babies?

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a disorder diagnosed most often in premature babies, before the 28th week of pregnancy, with a birth weight below 1000 g. It is related to the immaturity of the lungs of the newborn, whose breathing must be artificially supported.

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Due to oxygen therapy early in a child’s development, the bronchi and lungs develop abnormally, eventually leading to progressive respiratory failure.

Bronchitis – Is It Contagious?

As already mentioned, bronchitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases, most of which affect children, but it can also occur in adults. Although inflammation is mainly caused by viruses (influenza A and B viruses, paraviruses, coronaviruses), it happens that the cause of the disease are bacteria (only 10% of cases), as well as environmental factors (exposure to tobacco smoke, chemicals or polluted air). ).

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There are three types of bronchitis – acute, subacute and chronic. Acute bronchitis usually lasts about 2-3 weeks, is accompanied by a sharp cough – initial wet cough, which may turn into a dry cough, as well as fever and weakness. Chronic bronchitis is more often diagnosed among heavy smokers, passive smokers, and people exposed to contact with chemicals.

Due to the fact that acute bronchitis is diagnosed among children, the question arises as to whether it is contagious. Bronchitis is infectious, it spreads by droplets, but it is only an infectious form, i.e. caused by viruses or bacteria. Patients are treated by administering expectorants that may contain ambroxol or bromhexine. If you experience shortness of breath, your doctor may prescribe a bronchodilator.

Bronchial asthma – what is it characterized by?

Although the aforementioned muscle layer is responsible for the removal of the foreign body from the bronchi, its excessive activity may be one of the causes of breathlessness in bronchial asthma, which is caused by inflammation. It is often associated with an allergy.

Pulmonologists show that several factors, including environmental ones (e.g. poor air quality), are associated with the development of the disease. Asthma is characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation and symptomatic relief.

Treatment of bronchial asthma is primarily based on the administration of inhaled glucocorticosteroids to relieve inflammation. In periods of exacerbation of symptoms, bronchodilators (anticholinergics or methylxanthines) are administered.

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Bronchi – what is the diagnosis of diseases?

The diagnosis of bronchial diseases involves both a physical examination and computer tests – however, it depends on the disease:

1. Auscultation of the patient – physical examination with a stethoscope is designed to detect abnormalities in the functioning of the lower respiratory tract, especially wheezing, murmurs, and rales. The examination is performed by the family doctor, who may order further examinations;
2. Chest X-ray examination – although it is not a thorough examination, it can also illustrate how the patient’s airways are functioning;
3. Computed tomography of the chest – examination much more precise than chest X-ray. It allows for a thorough examination of the bronchial structures. It works well in the case of diagnostics of diseases and injuries as well;
4. Lung plethysmography – thanks to the examination, it is possible to check the total volume of the lungs. Air measurement is especially concerned with the one that the patient is not able to blow out even at high amperage during a spirometry test;
5. Spirometry – thanks to the test, it is possible to check how the individual elements of the lower respiratory tract function, including checking the volume of the lungs. Often the examination is accompanied by an exercise test, as well as a provocation test with the use of histamine or methacholine.

Bronchi – what is bronchoscopy?

Bronchoscopy is an endoscopic examination that involves the endoscopy of the trachea and bronchi in order to find the causes of diseases. Bronchoscopy is used in the diagnosis of persistent cough accompanied by expectoration, chronic dyspnea, suspicion of the appearance of a foreign body in the lower respiratory tract or the suspicion of neoplastic changes.

Bronchoscopy involves inserting a bronchoscope into the mouth and a bronchofiberoscope into the mouth and nose, which are moved from the trachea towards the bronchi. Thanks to this, the doctor can take a tissue section as well as mucus for another examination, this time under a microscope. Bronchoscopy is performed under anesthesia.

The bronchi and smoking

Heavy cigarette smoking is the main cause of bronchial cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma. If a patient develops a cough, accompanied by haemoptysis, dyspnoea, and weakness, the pulmonologist should be consulted.

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Bronchial diseases do not only affect heavy smokers, but also people who are at risk of inhaling tobacco smoke.

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