The bronchi divides and continues to branch out into?

The bronchi divide into smaller branches known as segmental bronchi, which are also called tertiary bronchi. This division occurs after the primary bronchi (the two main bronchi that stem from the trachea) enter the lungs. Each primary bronchus branches into secondary bronchi, which then further subdivides into segmental bronchi that serve specific segments of each lung. This branching system is essential for effectively distributing air to various regions of the lungs, facilitating gas exchange in the alveoli, where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.

In contrast, alveoli are the small air sacs where gas exchange occurs but are not a direct continuation from the bronchi; they derive from further subdivisions of the bronchi. The trachea is the large airway leading into the bronchi, and the larynx is involved in the production of sound and regulation of airflow but is anatomically situated above the trachea and not a branch of the bronchial tree. Understanding this branching is crucial for comprehending pulmonary anatomy and the pathway of airflow in the respiratory system.