Respiratory Pathology and Anatomy Quiz

Respiratory Anatomy

• The respiratory system consists of the upper respiratory tract (nasal cavity, nasopharynx, mouth, oropharynx, and larynx) and the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs)
• The lungs are divided into left and right lobes, with the trachea branching into the right and left main stem bronchi
• The bronchi further divide into bronchioles, which eventually lead to the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs
• The pleura is a membrane surrounding the lungs, and the pleural fluid helps to lubricate the lungs and chest cavity

Respiratory Pathology

• Obstructive lung diseases restrict airflow, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis
• Restrictive lung diseases, such as chronic interstitial diseases, reduce lung volume
• Pulmonary vascular disease includes pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary infections include tuberculosis, pneumonia, and COVID-19
• Malignant neoplasms can occur in the lungs

Asthma

• A chronic inflammatory disorder with a hypersensitive airway response to triggers, resulting in episodic bronchoconstriction
• Clinical symptoms: wheezing, dyspnea, cough, and chest tightness
• May be triggered by environmental antigens, respiratory tract infections, exercise, or exposure to cold
• Treatment includes bronchodilators and inhaled steroids
• Types: atopic (allergic), non-atopic (non-allergic), drug-induced, and occupational

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Smoking is a major cause
• Overlap clinically with chronic bronchitis and emphysema

Emphysema

• Damage and enlargement of airspaces within the terminal portion of the respiratory tree
• Clinical symptoms: dyspnea
• Causes: smoking (acquired), α1-antitrypsin deficiency (genetic)
• Pathophysiology: inflammation, release of proteases, destruction of alveolar walls, and loss of elastic recoil

Chronic Bronchitis

• Chronic irritation to the airway, resulting in persistent cough and mucous production (minimum 3 months, > 2 years)
• Causes: smoking, air pollution
• Pathophysiology: inhaled irritants damage lining of airway, increased mucous secretion, inflammation, and fibrosis

Bronchiectasis

• Permanent dilation of airways due to destruction of smooth muscle and elastic tissue surrounding the airway
• Caused by obstruction and/or chronic infection
• Clinical symptoms: severe productive cough
• Occurs: congenital/hereditary (e.g., cystic fibrosis), infections (e.g., necrotizing pneumonia), or bronchial obstruction