BRONCHIAL GLAND Meaning and
Definition
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Bronchial glands are small, specialized glands found in the respiratory system, specifically in the walls of the bronchi, which are the main air passages in the lungs. These glands are responsible for producing and secreting mucus, a slippery and thick fluid that helps to lubricate and protect the airways.
The mucus secreted by bronchial glands serves several important functions. Firstly, it acts as a protective barrier, trapping inhaled particles such as dust, pollutants, and pathogens before they can reach the delicate lung tissue. Secondly, the mucus helps to moisten the airways, preventing them from becoming dry and irritated. Additionally, it aids in the removal of waste products and helps to facilitate the movement of the cilia present in the respiratory tract, which help to move the mucus along with the trapped particles upwards towards the throat, where it can be either swallowed or expelled through coughing.
Any disruption in the functionality of bronchial glands or an overproduction of mucus can lead to respiratory issues, such as excessive coughing, difficulty breathing, and mucus buildup in the airways. Conditions like bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma can affect the bronchial glands and their normal secretion of mucus. Medications such as bronchodilators or mucolytics may be used to help manage these conditions and balance the production of mucus from the bronchial glands.
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One of ten or twelve lymph-glands at the bifurcation of the trachea, lymphoglandula bronchialis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BRONCHIAL GLAND
- bronchial glafd
- bronchial glald
- bronchial glaod
- bronchial glant
- bronchial glanl
- b ronchial gland
- br onchial gland
- bro nchial gland
- bron chial gland
- bronc hial gland
- bronch ial gland
- bronchi al gland
- bronchia l gland
- bronchial g land
- bronchial gl and
- bronchial gla nd
- bronchial glan d
Etymology of BRONCHIAL GLAND
The word "bronchial gland" can be broken down into its two main components: "bronchial" and "gland".
The term "bronchial" dates back to the 16th century, deriving from the Greek word "brónchia", which means "windpipe" or "bronchus". In turn, "brónchia" originates from "brónchos", meaning "light pipe" or "throat".
The word "gland" comes from the Latin term "glandula", which translates to "acorn" or "gland". The use of "glandula" in Latin referred to a rounded swelling or an acorn-like shape.
Therefore, the etymology of the term "bronchial gland" suggests that it refers to a gland associated with or located in the bronchi or windpipe.
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