bröstgångarna

Bröstgångarna, literally translated from Swedish as the “chest passages,” refer to the anatomical conduits within the thoracic cavity that convey the main bronchi into the lungs. Situated in the mediastinal space between the sternum and the vertebral column, the bröstgångarna serve as critical pathways for air to travel from the trachea to the smaller bronchi and alveoli. Each passage is lined with respiratory epithelium, vascularised by a rich network of bronchial arteries and veins that supply oxygen and drainage from the lung tissues.

These structures are bounded dorsally by the thoracic vertebrae, ventrally by the sternum, and medially by the heart and great vessels. The bröstgångarna also provide a corridor for the recurrent laryngeal nerves, which loop around the aortic arch or subclavian artery to innervate the larynx, and for parts of the vagus nerve. Because of this dual role as airway conduits and nerve tracks, any pathological change in the bröstgångarna, such as inflammation, tumor growth, or anatomical malformation, can produce symptoms of cough, wheezing, or voice changes.

Clinically, the bröstgångarna are examined during chest imaging and bronchoscopy. Radiographic techniques such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging can reveal structural abnormalities, while bronchoscopy allows direct visualisation of mucosal lesions or foreign bodies. In surgical procedures like lung transplantation or mediastinal tumour resection, preserving the integrity of the bröstgångarna is essential to maintain ventilation and stability of the airway.

In Swedish medical literature, the term bröstgångarna is synonymous with the English “bronchial corridors” or “bronchial passages.” It appears frequently in discussions of thoracic anatomy, respiratory physiology, and thoracic surgery, emphasizing its importance in both basic science and clinical practice.