The breathing air is transported to the bronchial alveoli, in which there is the gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The bronchial tubes are very thick and beginning to branch out further and further. One can imagine well as an upside-down tree. The alveoli would be the leaves. The trunk and branches, the bronchi.

be called from the trachea to the alveoli, the alveoli, if you count an average of 23 branches. On the so-called Carina, the trachea divides into two main bronchi, which lead to the right and left lung. After a few centimeters, then divide again on the main bronchi in the different lobe bronchi. The right main bronchus divides into three branches that supply the three lobes of the right side. The left main bronchus, however divided only into two branches because the left lung has only two lobes. The "cavity" in the center is home to the heart. The five lobar bronchi divide into segmental bronchi.

The smallest branches of the bronchi are called bronchioles. The cartilage rings that reinforce the major bronchi are replaced in the lobar bronchi by cartilage plates. The bronchi are always thin-walled. In the bronchioles, which is only 1 mm in diameter, the cartilage reinforcements missing. They consist only of muscle fibers.

The bronchioles branch out further. Go respiratorii into the very fine branches of the bronchioles, which in turn flow directly into the area of ​​the lung, in which there is the actual breathing. This area is characterized by the alveolar ducts to the alveoli. The alveoli are grape-shaped respiratorii the alveolar ducts and bronchioles, as a wine grape branch. Overall, a person has about 300 million alveoli. Each individual is surrounded by a fine network of blood vessels that provide gas exchange.

Book on this anzeigenDas respiratory system cartilages and cartilage plates of the bronchial tubes have the task of the bronchi to the respiratory air to keep them open. The "wall" of the bronchial tubes also has muscles that can be contracted. Then narrow the bronchial tubes. Thus, supported by the muscular contraction, the breathing. All bronchi are lined with a mucous membrane, which are covered with extremely fine cilia. These hairs are always wet. On the one hand, wet it so the inhaled air on. On the other hand, is transported by the movement of inhaled dust, pollen and bacteria out. Cilia and mucous membranes are very sensitive and respond to recurring stimuli, such as smoking, air pollution and frequent infections.