Difference Between Right and Left Bronchus

The key difference between right and left bronchus is that the right bronchus is shorter and wider while the left bronchus is longer and narrower. Furthermore, the right bronchus is more vertical compared to the left bronchus.

Respiratory system exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide. It provides oxygen for cellular functions and excludes carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of our body. There are different components of the respiratory system. Among them, bronchi (singular – bronchus) are important structures of the airways of the respiratory system. These bronchi have two categories as left bronchus and right bronchus. To describe further, within the respiratory system, the inferior end of the trachea splits into two branches; the left and right branches, and these are the primary bronchi, the right and left bronchus. Therefore, the main function of each bronchus is to carry air from the trachea to lungs.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Right Bronchus
3. What is Left Bronchus
4. Similarities Between Right and Left Bronchus
5. Side by Side Comparison – Right vs Left Bronchus in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Right Bronchus?

Right bronchus, also known as right primary bronchus, is one of the branches that is formed by the splitting of the inferior end of the trachea. Right bronchus is shorter and wider than the left bronchus.

Furthermore, it divides into bronchi before the left bronchus. The right bronchus is more vertical than the left bronchus. Right bronchus carries air from trachea to right lung of our body.

What is Left Bronchus?

Left bronchus, also known as primary left bronchus, is the left branch that results from the tracheal division. It is a part of the airways. The C shaped cartilages support left and right bronchi. In contrast to the right bronchus, the left bronchus is narrower and longer.

Moreover, it is more angular than the right bronchus. Left bronchus carries air from the trachea to left lung.

What are the Similarities Between Right and Left Bronchus?

• Right and Left bronchus are the two main parts of our respiratory system.
• They start from the trachea.
• They both extend into secondary bronchi.
• The C shaped cartilages support both bronchi.
• Both bronchi run into each lung, the right and left lung.
• The function of each bronchus is to carry air from the trachea to lungs.

What is the Difference Between Right and Left Bronchus?

Right and left bronchus are two important airways on our respiratory system. They carry air from the trachea to lungs. Right bronchus is structurally different from the left bronchus. It is wider and shorter than the left bronchus. The below infographic presents more details on the difference between right and left bronchus.

Summary – Right vs Left Bronchus

Airways are one of the major parts of our respiratory system. The trachea in the airways splits into two branches, which are known as bronchi. The right side branch of the bronchi is the right bronchus, and the left side branch is the left bronchus. Right bronchus is more vertical, shorter and wider than the left bronchus, which is more angular, longer and narrower. Right bronchus appears in 20 – 30-degree angle while left bronchus appears in 40 – 60-degree angle. This is the difference between right and left bronchus.

Reference:

1.“Bronchus.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 July 2018. Available here 

Image Courtesy:

1.’Human Lungs’By UNSHAW – Own work, (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia 
2.’Respiratory system complete en’By LadyofHats, Jmarchn – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia