What are the structures that branch off of the trachea into the lower airway?

The structures that branch off of the trachea into the lower airway are the bronchi. When air reaches the end of the trachea, it divides into the right and left main bronchi, which then further subdivide into smaller bronchi and eventually lead to bronchioles. This anatomical structure is crucial for directing air into each lung and facilitating gas exchange.

Understanding the branching pattern is essential for grasping how the respiratory system functions. The bronchi serve as large passageways for air, while bronchioles, which are smaller branches that further subdivide from the bronchi, lead to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. The lungs themselves are not direct branches of the trachea but rather the organs that house these branching structures.