bronkialmuskulaturen

Bronchial musculature, also known as bronchial smooth muscle, refers to the smooth muscle tissue found in the walls of the bronchi and bronchioles within the respiratory system. These muscles play a crucial role in regulating airflow to and from the lungs.

The smooth muscle fibers are arranged circularly around the airways. When these muscles contract, they constrict the airways, narrowing the lumen and increasing resistance to airflow. Conversely, when the muscles relax, the airways dilate, widening the lumen and decreasing resistance, thereby facilitating greater airflow.

This regulation of airway diameter is under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic stimulation, primarily via the vagus nerve, generally leads to bronchoconstriction, while sympathetic stimulation, through the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine, typically causes bronchodilation.

The bronchial musculature's ability to change airway caliber is vital for several physiological processes. It allows for adjustments in breathing during physical activity, helps protect the lungs from inhaled irritants by narrowing airways, and contributes to coughing mechanisms for clearing mucus.

Dysfunction of the bronchial musculature is a hallmark of conditions like asthma, where excessive contraction (bronchospasm) leads to significant airway narrowing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Treatments for such conditions often aim to relax these muscles, for example, through bronchodilator medications.