bronchus etymology

Etymology

  • Latin: bronchus
  • Greek: βρόγχος (bróņkhos)

Meaning

  • A main airway in the lungs

Origin

The term "bronchus" ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root _bhreu_, meaning "to roar" or "to make noise." This root is related to the English words "bray" and "brogue."

In Ancient Greek, the word βρόγχος (bróņkhos) referred to the windpipe or trachea, as well as the main branches of the airway that lead to the lungs. The term was likely chosen due to the characteristic sound produced by air passing through the airway.

In medical terminology, "bronchus" specifically refers to the two primary branches of the trachea that enter the lungs (the left and right main bronchi). The main bronchi then divide into smaller branches called secondary bronchi, which subdivide further into tertiary bronchi and so on. The smallest branches of the airway are known as bronchioles.

bronchus relate terms

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