Table 1—

Comparison of species differences in tracheobronchial airway organisation

ParameterHumanMonkeyMouse
Cartilage in wallTrachea to distal bronchioleTrachea to distal bronchioleTrachea
Nonrespiratory bronchiolesSeveral generationsSeveral generationsSeveral generations
Respiratory bronchiolesSeveral generationsSeveral generationsNone or one
Generations to alveolarised bronchiole (axial path)17–2113–1713–17
Branching patternDichotomousDichotomous/trichotomousMonopodial

  • Data taken from references [8–11].