Editing Bronchus (section)

==Clinical significance==
[[File:Bronchial wall thickness (T) and diameter (D).svg|thumb|100px|Bronchial wall thickness (T) and bronchial diameter (D).]]
Bronchial wall thickening, as can be seen on [[CT scan]], generally (but not always) implies [[inflammation]] of the bronchi ([[bronchitis]]).<ref>{{cite web |author=Weerakkody |first=Yuranga |date=2021-01-13 |title=Bronchial wall thickening |url=https://radiopaedia.org/articles/bronchial-wall-thickening |access-date=2018-01-05 |website=[[Radiopaedia]]}}</ref> Normally, the ratio of the bronchial wall thickness and the bronchial diameter is between 0.17 and 0.23.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=97pHzCI5vE4C&pg=PA112 Page 112] in: {{cite book|title=Imaging of the Airways: Functional and Radiologic Correlations|author=David P. Naidich|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|year=2005|isbn=9780781757683}}</ref>

===Bronchitis===
{{Main|Bronchitis}}
Bronchitis is defined as inflammation of the bronchi, which can either be [[Acute (medicine)|acute]] or [[chronic condition|chronic]]. [[Acute bronchitis]] is usually caused by [[virus disease|viral]] or [[pathogenic bacteria|bacterial infections]]. Many sufferers of [[chronic bronchitis]] also suffer from [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]] (COPD), and this is usually associated with [[smoking]] or long-term exposure to [[irritation|irritants]].

===Aspiration===
The left main bronchus departs from the trachea at a greater angle than that of the right main bronchus. The right bronchus is also wider than the left and these differences predispose the right lung to [[pulmonary aspiration|aspirational]] problems. If food, liquids, or foreign bodies are aspirated, they will tend to lodge in the right main bronchus. [[Bacterial pneumonia]] and [[aspiration pneumonia]] may result.

If a [[tracheal tube]] used for [[tracheal intubation|intubation]] is inserted too far, it will usually lodge in the right bronchus, allowing ventilation only of the right lung.

===Asthma===
[[Asthma]] is marked by [[bronchial hyperresponsiveness|hyperresponsiveness of the bronchi]] with an inflammatory component, often in response to [[allergen]]s.

In asthma, the constriction of the bronchi can result in difficulty in breathing giving [[shortness of breath]]; this can lead to a [[Hypoxia (medical)|lack of oxygen]] reaching the body for cellular processes. In this case, an [[inhaler]] can be used to rectify the problem. The inhaler administers a [[bronchodilator]], which serves to soothe the constricted bronchi and to re-expand the airways. This effect occurs quite quickly.

===Bronchial atresia===
'''Bronchial atresia''' is a rare congenital disorder that can have a varied appearance. A bronchial atresia is a defect in the development of the bronchi, affecting one or more bronchi – usually segmental bronchi and sometimes lobar. The defect takes the form of a blind-ended bronchus. The surrounding [[lung parenchyma|tissue]] secretes mucus normally but builds up and becomes distended.<ref name="JVS">{{cite journal|pmid=29302450|pmc=5730535|year=2017|last1=Traibi|first1=A.|title=Congenital bronchial atresia in adults: Thoracoscopic resection|journal=Journal of Visualized Surgery|volume=3|pages=174|last2=Seguin-Givelet|first2=A.|last3=Grigoroiu|first3=M.|last4=Brian|first4=E.|last5=Gossot|first5=D.|doi=10.21037/jovs.2017.10.15 |doi-access=free }}</ref> This can lead to [[emphysema|regional emphysema]].<ref name="Thorax">{{cite journal|pmid=1494776|pmc=1021111|year=1992|last1=Van Klaveren|first1=R. J.|title=Congenital bronchial atresia with regional emphysema associated with pectus excavatum|journal=Thorax|volume=47|issue=12|pages=1082–3|last2=Morshuis|first2=W. J.|last3=Lacquet|first3=L. K.|last4=Cox|first4=A. L.|last5=Festen|first5=J.|last6=Heystraten|first6=F. M.|doi=10.1136/thx.47.12.1082}}</ref>

The collected mucus may form a mucoid impaction or a [[bronchocele]], or both. A [[pectus excavatum]] may accompany a bronchial atresia.<ref name="JVS"/>