Bronchioles


bronchiole

(brŏng′kē-ōl) plural.bronchioles [L. bronchiolus, air passage] One of the smaller subdivisions of the bronchial tubes. Bronchioles have no cartilage in their walls; they also have few glands in their mucosa.

respiratory bronchiole

The last division of the bronchial tree. Respiratory bronchioles are branches of terminal bronchioles and continue to the alveolar ducts, which lead to the alveoli.

terminal bronchiole

The next-to-last subdivision of a bronchiole, leading to the respiratory bronchioles.

Bronchioles

Small airways extending from the bronchi into the lobes of the lungs.Mentioned in: Bronchoscopy, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease