1. Terminal bronchioles: These are the smallest airways in the respiratory system and are the final branches of the bronchial tree before reaching the alveoli. They are lined with simple cuboidal epithelium and do not contain any cartilage or mucus-producing cells.
2. Respiratory bronchioles: These are the first branches off the terminal bronchioles that contain alveoli in their walls. They are lined with simple squamous epithelium and are involved in gas exchange between the air and blood in the alveoli.
3. Alveolar ducts: These are thin-walled tubes that connect the respiratory bronchioles to the alveolar sacs. They are lined with alveoli and are the site of gas exchange in the lungs.
4. Alveolar sacs: These are clusters of alveoli that are connected to each other by alveolar ducts. They are the primary site of gas exchange in the lungs, where oxygen is taken up by the blood and carbon dioxide is released into the alveoli to be exhaled.