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You have had valves inserted or replaced in your bronchi.

Air is breathed in via the mouth or nose. From there the air goes to the windpipe via the larynx. At the end of the windpipe are two bronchial tubes (or bronchi) branching away from it. The bronchial tubes run into the lungs. What is more, the bronchial tubes divide into even smaller branches. The larynx, windpipe, bronchia and lungs are part of the lower airways.

You had a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy involves inserting an examination instrument via the mouth or nose. Such a device may be a flexible or rigid tube. The device is then pushed down into the lower airways. A camera is attached to the tube. This camera then sends images to a screen during the examination. You can look through the tube.

Some valves were put in your bronchi during the bronchoscopy. This type of valve prevents air from getting into the relevant part of the lungs when you breathe in. The air is still able to get out of that part of the lungs, however.