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What is a Bronchial Cell?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A bronchial cell is a cell from the lining of the bronchi, the network of tubes used to convey air to the lungs. Bronchial cells are responsible for producing lubricating mucus to keep the airways functional and they are a type of epithelial cell, a term used generally to refer to cells lining the inside or outside of the body. These cells may be collected for culture if a doctor suspects a patient has a bronchial cell mutation or abnormalities, using a technique called bronchoscopy. In a bronchoscopy, a camera is inserted into the airways to allow a doctor to inspect them and take samples, if needed.

These cells are constantly renewing to maintain a healthy epithelium in the bronchi. They generate mucus and a number of other compounds. Although gas exchange does not occur inside the bronchi, the bronchial cells do play an important role in respiration, and when there are mutations or other errors in these cells, health problems can develop. Patients with cystic fibrosis, for example, experience excessive mucus production leading to obstructions in the airways.

The human respiratory system, showing the bronchial tubes in red.
The human respiratory system, showing the bronchial tubes in red.

When patients experience inflammation of the airways, as seen in bronchitis, these cells can swell and become irritated. This may lead to impaired breathing and the patient can also start coughing up copious mucus as a result of inflammation in the bronchi and lungs. People with a history of inflammation may develop scarring and can be at risk of cancerous growths caused by bronchial cell mutations, a common problem when cell turnover is high, creating more room for errors in cell division and reproduction.

Cystic fibrosis results in thickened mucus that can accumulate in the lungs and pose a high risk of infection to the respiratory system.
Cystic fibrosis results in thickened mucus that can accumulate in the lungs and pose a high risk of infection to the respiratory system.

Like other epithelial cells, a bronchial cell can also spontaneously mutate, creating malignant growths. The highly branched nature of the bronchi conveniently allows physicians to do things like removing part of a lung and bronchus without causing significant impairment, as the other sections will continue to function. In cases where malignancies are identified, doctors can excise the growth and leave the rest of the airway intact, allowing the remaining structures to take over.

Inflammation of the airways may cause impaired breathing.
Inflammation of the airways may cause impaired breathing.

Bronchosopy procedures to look at the airways are usually conducted under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the nature of the procedure. They can be uncomfortable for patients, and using sedatives will help people relax during the procedure. In a bronchoscopy, the layer of bronchial cells will be visible and doctors can look for cellular changes, areas of thickness, and areas where cells are clearly damaged. Sputum and bronchial cell scrapings can also be taken during the procedure to collect diagnostic information.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

KoiwiGal

@Mor - That's kind of a general diagnosis. While it probably was the smoke, it could also have been other things. It is terrible that your mother wasn't able to make her own choice about inhaling smoke. I'm glad that smoking inside is generally banned in most countries.

Lung cells are really delicate. I guess they have to be vulnerable to things like smoke, or they wouldn't be as effective at taking in oxygen.

You'd be surprised how often it happens that parts of the lung just up and die altogether from being mistreated for years.

Smoking is one way it can happen, but of course there are all kinds of contaminants that can potentially harm your lungs.

Mor

My mother was recently diagnosed with what they called a small airways disease, which basically means that she has a sort of asthma, I think.

It's really unfair, because they basically told her it was from smoking and she has never been a smoker.

She did work in a bar for ten years though, and she told me whenever she went home she'd smell like she'd smoked two packs, from all the smoke in the air.

I guess it just destroyed her lung cells. This was almost twenty years ago and she's only now starting to feel the serious effects of it.

Even though bronchial cells are supposed to renew themselves, smoking can still permanently damage them, I guess.

So maybe you should think before lighting up. Particularly before lighting up around your children.

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    • The human respiratory system, showing the bronchial tubes in red.
      By: Alexandr Mitiuc
      The human respiratory system, showing the bronchial tubes in red.
    • Cystic fibrosis results in thickened mucus that can accumulate in the lungs and pose a high risk of infection to the respiratory system.
      By: joshya
      Cystic fibrosis results in thickened mucus that can accumulate in the lungs and pose a high risk of infection to the respiratory system.
    • Inflammation of the airways may cause impaired breathing.
      By: Aleksandar Todorovic
      Inflammation of the airways may cause impaired breathing.
    • Inhaled corticosteroids help control narrowing and inflammation in the bronchial tubes.
      By: perfectmatch
      Inhaled corticosteroids help control narrowing and inflammation in the bronchial tubes.
    • Bronchitis causes the bronchial cells to swell and become irritated.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Bronchitis causes the bronchial cells to swell and become irritated.
    • A brochial cell is a cell from the lining of the bronchi, a network of tubes contained inside of the lungs.
      By: Naeblys
      A brochial cell is a cell from the lining of the bronchi, a network of tubes contained inside of the lungs.
    • Swelling and other issues involving the bronchial cells is often treated with nebulized medications.
      By: dmitrimaruta
      Swelling and other issues involving the bronchial cells is often treated with nebulized medications.
    • Patients who receive anesthesia during a bronchosopy procedure are carefully monitored.
      By: fivepointsix
      Patients who receive anesthesia during a bronchosopy procedure are carefully monitored.