Structure/Morphology
Longitudinal bands of elastic fibers are present in the submucosa of the bronchioles and extend to the alveoli.
Related parts of the anatomy
Function
Elastic fibers in the walls of the bronchioles act as a spring preventing the walls from collapsing, as these tracts lack the cartilaginous plates that bronchi have to maintain a patent airway. This also applied for the alveoli, where the elastic fibers also aid the expulsion of air (Starcher, 1986).
References
Starcher, B. C. (1986) 'Elastin and the lung', Thorax, 41(8), pp. 577-85.
