What is the ventilated portion of the lung supplied by one bronchiole called?

The ventilated portion of the lung supplied by one bronchiole is referred to as a pulmonary lobule. This structure is defined as the anatomical unit of the lung that is ventilated by a single terminal bronchiole, which branches into respiratory bronchioles and leads to the alveoli where gas exchange occurs.

Understanding the significance of the pulmonary lobule involves recognizing its role in the overall organization of the lung. It serves as a functional subdivision, enabling efficient airflow and gas exchange within that specific region. Each lobule is surrounded by connective tissue that helps to maintain its structure while enabling the necessary expansion and contraction during breathing.

In contrast, other options refer to different anatomical or functional structures within the respiratory system. The bronchopulmonary segment refers to a larger subdivision of the lung that contains multiple lobules and is supplied by a specific tertiary bronchus. Alveolar ducts are passageways leading directly into the alveolar sacs, where the gas exchange occurs, and the respiratory zone encompasses the regions of the lung involved in gas exchange, including respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, and alveoli.