Tracheobronchial tree
Arbor tracheobronchialis
- Latin synonym: Arbor bronchialis
- Synonym: Bronchial tree
- Related terms: Bronchial tree
Definition
The tracheobronchial tree is the system of airways that conducts air from the larynx to the ga-sexchanging units (alveoli) of the lungs. It consists of the trachea, which bifurcates at the carina into the right and left main bronchi, which then undergo sequential, irregular dichotomous branching into progressively smaller bronchi and bronchioles, ultimately terminating in the terminal and respiratory bronchioles that open into the alveolar ducts and sacs.
The bronchial tree is the the bronchial system composed by main bronchi, lobar and segmental bronchi, and intrasegmental bronchi.
The Boyden classification is a standardized alphanumeric nomenclature system for the segmental bronchi and bronchopulmonary segments, developed by Edward A. Boyden based on postmortem dissection specimens and published in 1955. It remains the most widely used system for describing normal segmental bronchial anatomy and congenital bronchial anomalies.
The classification assigns each segmental bronchus a letter-number designation using "B" followed by a number (B1-B10), corresponding to the bronchopulmonary segment it supplies. The same numbering applies to the corresponding segmental arteries (A1-A10) and veins (V1-V10). Subsegmental branches are further designated with lowercase letters (e.g., B1a, B1b).
Intermediate bronchus (term not include in Terminologia Anatomica and Boyden's classification but widely used)
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