What is the Difference Between Terminal and Respiratory Bronchioles?

Terminal bronchioles and respiratory bronchioles are two types of airways in the respiratory system that play different roles in the transportation and exchange of gases. The main differences between them are:

• Location: Terminal bronchioles belong to the conducting zone of the respiratory system, while respiratory bronchioles belong to the respiratory zone.
• Function: Terminal bronchioles form the distal part of the conducting zone, which facilitates the transportation of gases. Respiratory bronchioles, on the other hand, are the beginning of the respiratory division, where gas exchange takes place.
• Structure: Terminal bronchioles are made of ciliated cuboidal epithelium with non-ciliated club cells. Respiratory bronchioles are lined by non-ciliated club cells and ciliated columnar epithelial cells.
• Alveoli: Terminal bronchioles do not have alveoli in their walls, while respiratory bronchioles have alveoli in their walls.
• Diameter: The diameter of terminal bronchioles is less than 1 mm, while the diameter of respiratory bronchioles is slightly larger.

In summary, terminal bronchioles are part of the conducting zone and do not have alveoli, while respiratory bronchioles are part of the respiratory zone and have alveoli for gas exchange.

Comparative Table: Terminal vs Respiratory Bronchioles

Here is a table comparing the differences between terminal and respiratory bronchioles:

Terminal bronchioles are part of the conducting zone of the respiratory system, while respiratory bronchioles are part of the respiratory zone. Terminal bronchioles do not have alveoli and are the narrowest air tracts, whereas respiratory bronchioles have alveoli and are involved in gas exchange at the lung surface.