title: [Pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung characterized by poorly reversible airflow limitation. It is not a unique disease entity but rather a complex of conditions which include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and, sometimes, asthma. Moreover, COPD is a progressive disease often associated with exacerbations. Cigarette smoking, which is the most important risk factor for the development of COPD, induces pathological changes involving lung parenchyma, peripheral airways and central airways. Since lung parenchyma and peripheral airways are the sites responsible for airflow limitation and central airways are the main site of mucus hypersecretion, pathological changes in these compartments may be relevant in the development of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Pneumologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi, Padova.
authors.forename: Graziella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turato
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zuin
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baraldo
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Badin
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beghé
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saetta
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000473:pathology