Final answer:
The right bronchus is typically the shorter, wider, and more vertically oriented bronchus, while the left bronchus is longer, narrower, and more horizontal.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the human respiratory system, air is channeled into the lungs through the two primary bronchi, which divert into smaller passages known as secondary bronchi, tertiary bronchi, and eventually into even smaller bronchioles. When comparing the two primary bronchi, the right bronchus is typically shorter, wider and descends at a more vertical angle compared to the left bronchus, which is longer, narrower, and relatively more horizontal. This anatomical difference is primarily because the right lung is larger to accommodate three lobes, while the left lung is smaller due to the presence of the heart, resulting in only two lobes. Additionally, the bronchioles, which stem from the tertiary bronchi, lack cartilage and can change their diameter due to the action of smooth muscle, affecting airflow through the respiratory system.