CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

In adult patients, where are aspirated foreign bodies most likely to be found?

1. Left bronchus

2. Right bronchus

3. Trachea

4. Alveoli

The correct answer is: Right bronchus

Aspirated foreign bodies in adult patients are most likely to be found in the right bronchus due to the anatomical orientation and structure of the bronchial tree. The right main bronchus is shorter, wider, and more vertically oriented compared to the left main bronchus. This anatomy allows foreign objects, which are typically inhaled when someone is choking or gagging, to easily pass into and lodge in the right bronchus. The right bronchus is less resistant to the passage of aspirated materials because these foreign bodies tend to take the path of least resistance. This is particularly significant in adults, where the tendency to aspirate is often associated with the consumption of food or other small objects. In contrast, the other options like the trachea, left bronchus, and alveoli are less commonly the sites where aspirated objects end up. The trachea serves primarily as the main airway, and while aspirated objects can initially enter here, the branching into the bronchi is what often leads to the right bronchus. The left bronchus, being narrower and angled differently, presents more of a challenge for aspiration. Finally, the alveoli are the microscopic air sacs in the lungs; they are not a typical site for lodged foreign bodies