What do alveolar ducts lead to in the respiratory system?

Alveolar ducts are small passages in the lungs that directly connect to the alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs responsible for gas exchange. The anatomy of the respiratory system shows that alveolar ducts branch off from the respiratory bronchioles and serve as the pathways through which air reaches the alveoli.

This structure is crucial because it allows for the effective transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air in the lungs and the blood in the capillaries surrounding the alveoli. Therefore, the relationship between alveolar ducts and alveoli is essential in the functioning of the respiratory system, making alveoli the correct answer.

The other choices refer to different structures in the respiratory system that are not directly connected to the alveolar ducts. The bronchioles are a step earlier in the air passage pathway, while the trachea is part of the upper respiratory tract leading to the bronchi. The larynx, on the other hand, is involved in voice production and is located above the trachea, serving a different function altogether.