Primary (main) bronchi

Definition

The primary bronchi are the two main passageways that branch off from the trachea and lead into the lungs. They serve as the main conduits for air to enter each lung.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The primary bronchi are composed of the right and left bronchi, with the right being shorter, wider, and more vertical than the left.
2. The division of the trachea into primary bronchi occurs at a region known as the carina.
3. The right primary bronchus enters the right lung at a higher position compared to where the left bronchus enters the left lung.
4. Each primary bronchus further divides into secondary or lobar bronchi within their respective lungs.
5. Primary bronchi are lined with ciliated epithelium that helps filter and move particles out of the respiratory tract.

Related terms

Trachea:

A large membranous tube reinforced by rings of cartilage, extending from the larynx to the bronchial tubes.

Secondary Bronchi: Branches of the primary bronchi that lead into each lobe of the lungs.

Carina: The ridge at which point the trachea divides into two main (primary) bronchi.