US Medical Term · anatomy
Bronchi
Bronquios
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Bronchi |
| Spanish (Español) | Bronquios |
| Chinese (中文) | 支氣管 |
| Korean (한국어) | 기관지 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Phế quản |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Bronkyo |
| Portuguese (Português) | Brônquios |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หลอดลม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 気管支 |
What it means
The bronchi are two large air passages that branch off the bottom of the trachea — the windpipe — and carry air into the right and left lungs. Think of them as the main hallways that lead air into your lungs. Inside each lung the bronchi keep dividing into smaller and smaller tubes, eventually becoming tiny passages called bronchioles that end in the air sacs where oxygen enters your blood. When the bronchi become inflamed or narrowed — as happens in asthma or bronchitis — breathing feels tight or wheezy. Doctors may order a chest X-ray or CT scan to look at the bronchi and may perform a procedure called a bronchoscopy to see inside them.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
The doctor said my bronchi are inflamed and that is why I keep coughing so much.
El médico dijo que mis bronquios están inflamados y por eso sigo tosiendo tanto.
I have bronchitis — does that mean my bronchi are infected?
Tengo bronquitis. ¿Eso significa que mis bronquios están infectados?
They used a small camera to look inside my bronchi and take a tissue sample.
Usaron una pequeña cámara para ver el interior de mis bronquios y tomar una muestra de tejido.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026