The difference between the left and right main bronchi

The bronchi are usually divided into left and right bronchi. If a person's bronchi are diseased, it will have a great impact on physical health. If not treated in time, it will develop into pneumonia. The more common bronchial disease is bronchitis, which is usually the most common in children. If a child suffers from bronchitis, parents must pay attention to it and treat the baby in time.

Difference between left and right main bronchus

The right bronchus is shorter and thicker, about 2.5 cm long and about 1.4 to 2.3 cm in diameter. It forms an angle of about 20 to 30 degrees with the extension line of the longitudinal axis of the trachea. The right bronchus enters our hilum at about the lower edge of the fifth thoracic vertebra and is divided into three branches, entering the corresponding lobes, upper lobe, middle lobe and lower lobe bronchi.

The left bronchus is thinner and longer, about 5 cm long and 1.5 to 2.0 cm in diameter, forming an angle of 40 to 45 degrees with the central axis of the organ. The bronchus exits at about the sixth thoracic vertebra, enters the hilum of the lung, and is divided into upper and lower lobe bronchi.

It can be clearly seen here that the left bronchus has one less bronchus than the right bronchus, and less than the middle lobe bronchus. The left bronchus is relatively longer than the right bronchus. The former is thinner and longer, and has a more inclined direction, while the latter is thicker and shorter, and has a more direct direction. It is easy for foreign objects to enter the right bronchus but difficult to enter the left bronchus. This is why we usually say that we must take some other substances from the left bronchus to prevent them from falling into the right bronchus.

What are the branches of the right main bronchus?

1. The right upper lobe bronchus, the first branch of the right main bronchus, gives rise to three segmental bronchi: the apical segmental bronchus, the posterior segmental bronchus, and the anterior segmental bronchus.

2. Right middle lobe bronchus. After the right main bronchus branches off the upper lobe bronchus, it is called the intermediate bronchus. In particular, the front wall branches off the middle lobe bronchus forward, downward and outward, and then divides into the outer segment bronchus and the inner segment bronchus. The right middle lobe bronchus is short and thick, and there are three groups of lymph nodes around its starting point: anterior, inner and outer. When it is swollen, it can compress the middle lobe bronchus from the front, inner and outer sides.

3. The right lower lobe bronchus is the continuation of the right main bronchus. It runs posteriorly, laterally and downward, and gives off branches: apical bronchus, medial basal bronchus, anterior basal bronchus, lateral basal bronchus, and posterior bronchus.