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Asthma is a common pulmonary condition defined by chronic inflammation of respiratory tubes, tightening of respiratory smooth muscle, and episodes of bronchoconstriction. [1] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 11 children and 1 in 12 adults have asthma in the United States of America. [ 1 ]
The respiratory bronchioles deliver air to the exchange surfaces of the lungs. [5] They are interrupted by alveoli which are thin walled evaginations. Alveolar ducts are side branches of the respiratory bronchioles. The respiratory bronchioles are lined by ciliated cuboidal epithelium along with some non-ciliated cells called club cells. [6]
Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. [4] Asthma occurs when allergens, pollen, dust, or other particles, are inhaled into the lungs, causing the bronchioles to constrict and produce mucus, which then restricts oxygen flow to the alveoli.
Airway remodelling is a multifaceted process involving multiple airway tissues. These include goblet cell hyperplasia, leading to increased mucus production, and airway smooth muscle hypertrophy (or smooth muscle cell hyperplasia), leading to the release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic messengers contributing to subepithelial fibrosis.
While airway tone is related to respiratory airflow and airway caliber insofar as an increase in airway tone decreases airflow due to the airway smooth muscle contraction, the two are not synonymous as airflow is determined by the structural and functional properties of the airways as well as the lung parenchyma in addition to airway tone. [1] [3]
The respiratory system (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for gas exchange in animals and plants. The anatomy and physiology that make this happen varies greatly, depending on the size of the organism, the environment in which it lives and its evolutionary ...
The lower airways or lower respiratory tract includes the portion of the larynx below the vocal folds, trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. The lungs can be included in the lower respiratory tract or as separate entity and include the respiratory bronchioles, alveolar ducts, alveolar sacs, and alveoli. [3] Adult and pediatric airway anatomy
With emphysema the shortness of breath due to effective bronchoconstriction from excessive very thick mucus blockage (it is so thick that great difficulty is encountered in expelling it resulting in near exhaustion at times) can bring on panic attacks unless the individual expects this and has effectively learned pursed lip breathing to more quickly transfer oxygen to the blood via the damaged ...