lobular bronchiole

A lobular bronchiole is a small airway branch characterized by the presence of simple alveoli in its wall, marking the transition between terminal bronchioles and alveolar ducts.

Located within each pulmonary acinus between the terminal bronchiole proximally and the alveolar ducts distally.

The lobular bronchiole conducts air while beginning gas exchange through its simple alveolar outpouchings.

Lobular bronchioles branch from terminal bronchioles and themselves branch into multiple alveolar ducts, forming the functional acinar unit.

Bronchiolitis with inflammation and obstruction of lobular bronchioles causes severe airflow obstruction and hypoxemia, particularly in infants.