Bronchiole

Bronchioles often appear constricted due to postmortem contraction of the prominent smooth muscle layer. Similar to the previous image, this bronchiole is lined by a ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Note the absence of both cartilage plates and glands. 200x

Bronchioles often appear constricted due to postmortem contraction of the prominent smooth muscle layer. Similar to the previous image, this bronchiole is lined by a ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Note the absence of both cartilage plates and glands. 200x

Bronchioles often appear constricted due to postmortem contraction of the prominent smooth muscle layer. Similar to the previous image, this bronchiole is lined by a ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Note the absence of both cartilage plates and glands. 200x

Bronchioles often appear constricted due to postmortem contraction of the prominent smooth muscle layer. Similar to the previous image, this bronchiole is lined by a ciliated, pseudostratified columnar epithelium. Note the absence of both cartilage plates and glands. 200x

Bronchioles lack supporting cartilage plates and often appear in tissue sections with a highly folded mucosa which results from postmortem contraction of the smooth muscle.

The bronchiole is surrounded by alveoli, indicating that it is an intrapulmonary structure. However, none of the alveoli communicate with the lumen of the bronchiole, indicating that these alveoli are not a component of the bronchiolar wall and that the bronchiole, therefore, cannot participate in gas exchange. A bronchiole is a component part of the conducting portion of the respiratory system.

Bronchial blood vessels lie within the wall of and supply the tissues of this bronchiole.

Image taken of a slide in the University of Michigan collection.