What type of epithelium is found in bronchioles?

The type of epithelium found in bronchioles is ciliated, cuboidal epithelium. This type of epithelium is critical for the proper functioning of the respiratory system. The ciliated aspect is important for moving mucus and trapped particles out of the airways, helping to keep the bronchioles clear of debris and pathogens. The cuboidal shape of the cells provides a balance between surface area for secretion and the structural support needed in this part of the respiratory tract.

In the bronchioles, as the airways become smaller, the epithelium changes from the more complex structures found in larger airways, such as the trachea and larger bronchi, which are lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium that includes goblet cells for mucus secretion. The reduction in size and the need for efficient gas exchange as well as the protection against pathogens lead to the transition to ciliated cuboidal epithelium, which is more suitable for this function.

In deeper branches of the respiratory system, the epithelium eventually transitions to simple cuboidal epithelium and then to alveolar squamous epithelium (type I cells) as it reaches the alveoli