Respiratory tree

Respiratory tree

The respiratory tree describes the branching structure of the vertebrate lung. Beginning with the top of the respiratory system, the trachea, the order of branchings is as follows:

* trachea
** main bronchus
***lobar bronchus
**** segmental bronchus
***** lobular bronchus
****** conducting bronchiole
******* terminal bronchiole
******** respiratory bronchiole
********* alveolar duct
********** alveolar sac
*********** alveolus

At each division point or generation, one airway branches into two or more smaller airways. The human respiratory tree may consist of up to 28 generations, while the respiratory tree of the mouse has up to 13 generations. Proximal divisions (those closest to the top of the tree, such as the bronchi) mainly function to transmit air to the lower airways. Latter divisions including the respiratory bronchiole, alveolar ducts and alveoli, are specialized for gas exchange.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Respiratory tree — Respiratory Re*spir a*to*ry (r?*sp?r ?*t?*r? or r?s p?*r? ), a. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to respiration; serving for respiration; as, the respiratory organs; respiratory nerves; the respiratory function; respiratory changes. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • respiratory tree — n the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles …   Medical dictionary

  • respiratory tree — (ECHINODERMATA: Holothuroidea) Branched cloacal tubules thought to have a respriatory function …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • respiratory tree — noun 1. : an internal arborescent usually paired tubular appendage of the cloaca of some holothurians that is considered to be an organ of respiration 2. : the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles …   Useful english dictionary

  • Respiratory — Re*spir a*to*ry (r?*sp?r ?*t?*r? or r?s p?*r? ), a. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to respiration; serving for respiration; as, the respiratory organs; respiratory nerves; the respiratory function; respiratory changes. [1913 Webster] {Respiratory… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Respiratory foods — Respiratory Re*spir a*to*ry (r?*sp?r ?*t?*r? or r?s p?*r? ), a. (Physiol.) Of or pertaining to respiration; serving for respiration; as, the respiratory organs; respiratory nerves; the respiratory function; respiratory changes. [1913 Webster]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tree nut allergy — Classification and external resources Hazelnuts ICD 9 995.64 …   Wikipedia

  • respiratory disease — ▪ human disease Introduction  any of the diseases and disorders that affect human respiration (respiration, human).  Diseases of the respiratory system may affect any of the structures and organs that have to do with breathing, including the… …   Universalium

  • Respiratory system — See also: Respiratory tract Respiratory A complete, schematic view of the human respiratory system with their parts and functions. Latin …   Wikipedia

  • respiratory diverticulum — a pouchlike evagination from the foregut that gives rise to the trachea, bronchi, and the branches that form the tracheobronchial tree …   Medical dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”