Respiratory Pathology

Question 1

what is bronchitis

Answer 1

secondary bacterial infection of the bronchi

Question 2

how does bronchitis present

Answer 2

chronic inflammation of bronchi, excess mucous production, chronic productive cough

Question 3

what causes bronchitis

Answer 3

smoking, prolonged exposure to harmful particles and gases, genes, age

Question 4

effects of bronchitis on the body

Answer 4

• increased size and number of mucus glands- may block small airways and overwhelm ciliary escalator
• oedema and other inflammatory changes- swelling and thickening of airway wall narrows the lumen and obstructs airflow
• reduction in number and function of ciliated cells- ciliated epithelium progressively destroyed and replaced by non-ciliated epithelium
• fibrosis of the airways- inflammatory changes lead to fibrosis and stiffening of airway walls, further reducing airflow
• breathlessness- ventilation of the lungs becomes severely impaired

Question 5

what is asthma

Answer 5

a common inflammatory disease of the airways, associated with episodes of reversible hyperreactivity of the airway smooth muscle