What are the tubes that branch off from the trachea called?

The tubes that branch off from the trachea are referred to as bronchi. Once the trachea conducts air down into the chest, it divides into two primary bronchi—one for each lung. Each bronchus then subdivides into smaller bronchi, which continue branching into even smaller passages. This branching system is crucial for the distribution of air throughout the lungs, facilitating effective gas exchange.

Bronchi are distinguished from other respiratory structures such as alveoli, which are tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles where gas exchange occurs. Bronchioles are even smaller branches that stem from the bronchi, leading directly to the alveoli. Capillaries, on the other hand, are tiny blood vessels that surround the alveoli and play a role in the exchange of gases between the air in the alveoli and the blood. Understanding the roles and differences between these structures helps clarify the pathway of air through the respiratory system.