Chronic obstructive Blank 1 disease includes two major conditions characterized by Blank 2 to airflow in the lungs. The condition called Blank 3 describes damage to Blank 4 and elastin fibres, characterized by a loss of lung Blank 5 and hyperinflation of the lungs. The effects of smoking accelerate the breakdown of Blank 6 due to suppression of Blank 7. The enlarged air spaces are mainly non-functional and have poor gas perfusion due to damage to the Blank 8.
The other major condition, called Blank 9, is caused by inflammation of major and small airways. The mucus membrane becomes Blank 10 and therefore thickens, which narrows the airway. There is loss of Blank 11 epithelium which is transformed into stratified Blank 12 epithelium in the adaptive process known as Blank 13. At the same time, mucous secreting cells Blank 14 resulting in hyper-secretion of mucus. Blockage of smaller bronchioles occurs mainly during Blank 15. During Blank 16 the lower intrathoracic pressure and tethering effect of elastin and collagen tend to keep the airways open. Over time there is an over-distension of Blank 17 as they fill up with trapped air.
A: alpha-1, antitrypsin, B: metaplasia, C: elasticity, D: reduced, E: pulmonary, F: expiration, G: edematous, H: chronic bronchitis, I: alveoli, J: hypertrophy, K: collagen, L: respiratory membrane, M: elastin, N: squamous, O: emphysema, P: ciliated, Q: inspiration