bronhial

Bronhial is an adjective often used as a variant spelling of bronchial in English and, more broadly, refers to the bronchi, the major air passages that conduct air from the trachea into the lungs. The bronchial tree begins at the bifurcation of the trachea into the right and left main bronchi, which subdivide into lobar and segmental bronchi, eventually giving rise to smaller bronchi and then to bronchioles that lead to the respiratory zones of the lungs.

Anatomy and histology: The walls of the larger bronchi contain hyaline cartilage in the form of rings or plates, a mucosal layer lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells, and a muscular layer of smooth muscle. As the airways narrow toward the bronchioles, cartilage diminishes and the epithelial lining becomes simpler. The bronchial circulation supplies the airways with systemic blood flow, distinct from the pulmonary arteries that service the gas-exchanging portions of the lungs.

Function and clinical relevance: The primary role of bronchial airways is to conduct and condition air, warming and humidifying it and filtering particles. The mucociliary apparatus helps clear mucus and trapped debris. Inflammation or obstruction of the bronchi, as seen in bronchitis, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alters airway caliber and resistance. Bronchial conditions are evaluated with imaging and pulmonary function testing, and treated with bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory agents, and airway clearance strategies.

Origin and usage: The term derives from Latin bronchus and Greek bronchos; bronchial is the standard English form, while bronhial may appear as a regional or linguistic variant.