Bronchial gland

Bronchial glands are specialized submucosal glands located in the walls of the bronchi and larger bronchioles. Structurally, they have tubuloacinar architecture and consist of mucous and serous cells. Their principal function is to secrete mucus and fluids that maintain airway surface hydration and mucociliary clearance, thus protecting the respiratory tract from inhaled particles, pathogens, and desiccation. Dysfunction or pathological changes in these glands are associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and Sjögren’s syndrome, but the glands themselves do not constitute a single molecular drug target.

Other names

Bronchial submucosal glandAirway glandSeromucous gland (in context of airway)