Bronchodilatation, or bronchodilation, is a reduction in airway resistance caused by the relaxation of airway

smooth muscle Smooth muscle is one of the three major types of vertebrate muscle tissue, the others being skeletal and cardiac muscle. It can also be found in invertebrates and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It is non- striated, so-called bec ...

. It is the opposite of

bronchoconstriction Bronchoconstriction is the constriction of the airways in the lungs due to the tightening of surrounding smooth muscle, with consequent coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Causes The condition has a number of causes, the most common bei ...

. Medically, bronchodilatation is used in the treatment of certain respiratory disorders, where it can reduce respiratory symptoms and/or improve lung function. Pharmacologically, bronchodilatation is achieved via

bronchodilator A bronchodilator or broncholytic (although the latter occasionally includes secretory inhibition as well) is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lun ...

References

Respiration {{respiratory-stub