What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bronchial
Example
She was diagnosed with bronchial asthma and was prescribed an inhaler. [bronchial: adjective]
Example
The doctor recommended a bronchial lavage to clear the airways. [bronchial: noun]
respiratory
Example
He had a respiratory infection and needed antibiotics to clear it up. [respiratory: adjective]
Example
The patient underwent a respiratory therapy session to improve lung function. [respiratory: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Respiratory is more commonly used than bronchial in everyday language. Respiratory is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while bronchial is more specific and primarily used in medical or healthcare settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bronchial and respiratory?
Both bronchial and respiratory are formal terms commonly used in medical and healthcare contexts. However, bronchial is more technical and specific, making it slightly more formal than respiratory, which has a broader usage and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.